used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
covertlyadverbUS /koʊˈvɜːrtli/
in a covert manner
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
the termination of something by causing so much damage to it that it cannot be repaired or no longer exists
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
dumpedverbUS /dʌmpt/
past form of “dump” — throw away as refuse
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
EXPLAINSverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnz/
third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
flatterverbUS /ˈflætər/
praise somewhat dishonestly
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
only a very short time before
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
HuffverbUS /hʌf/
inhale recreational drugs
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
and nothing more
From this reading Perhaps it was just to see the mine.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Perhaps it was just to see the mine.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
orenounUS /ɔːr/
a mineral that contains metal that is valuable enough to be mined
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps it was just to see the mine.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
in or at that place or location
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
tiptoedverbUS /ˈtɪptoʊd/
past form of “tiptoe” — walk on one's toes
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The moon had mounted high and the chill of the morning was in the air, so he could hardly flatter himself that she had come to see him.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
trammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
precisely as stated
From this reading She tiptoed up the trail, glancing nervously about her, starting back as a trammer dumped his ore; and then, very slowly, she crept past his house and disappeared in the direction of the mill.
VIRGINIAnounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading But if, beneath that cloak, she carried some instrument of destruction--he stepped out and watched her covertly.
Wiley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading VIRGINIA EXPLAINS--NOTHING She was covered by a cloak and there was a man's hat on her head, but Wiley knew her--it was Virginia Huff.
