used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "That you, Jard?" he called softly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
travel across or pass over
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "That you, Jard?" he called softly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
Jard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "That you, Jard?" he called softly.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
a particular point in time
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
replyingverbUS /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
with low volume
From this reading "That you, Jard?" he called softly.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading A moment later, the front door opened, and an old man stepped outside.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That you, Jard?" he called softly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
two times
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
waiternounUS /ˈweɪtər/
a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/
past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds
From this reading After gazing at the shack for several minutes, the waiter raised fingers to his lips and whistled twice.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading To the surprise of the girls, an answering signal came from within the dark cabin.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without replying, the waiter left the shelter of trees to cross the clearing.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That you, Jard?" he called softly.
