used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
barricadenounUS /ˈbærəkeɪd/
a barrier set up by police to stop traffic on a street or road in order to catch a fugitive or inspect traffic etc.
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
beaversnounUS /ˈbiːvərz/
plural of “beaver” — the soft brown fur of the beaver
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
the lower side of anything
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
buryverbUS /ˈberi/
cover from sight
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
colderadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊldər/
comparative of “cold” — having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
enabledverbUS /eˈneɪbəld/
past form of “enable” — render capable or able for some task
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
at any time
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
set up or found
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
freezeverbUS /friːz/
stop moving or become immobilized
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
the act of departing
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
ice-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
and nothing more
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
not any; not one
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
playmatesnounUS /ˈpleɪmeɪts/
plural of “playmate” — a companion at play
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
registeredadjectiveUS /ˈredʒɪstərd/
(of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
snuglyadverbUS /ˈsnʌɡli/
fitting closely
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
thermometernounUS /θərˈmɑːmətər/
measuring instrument for measuring temperature
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
transparentadjectiveUS /trænˈsperənt/
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
precisely as stated
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The water from the little brook that fed their pond was very clear, so that the ice was as transparent as glass.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading This enabled them to see what was going on outside almost as well as they could before the ice had formed, and besides, it kept out the wind and the cold.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading HOW THE WINTER WENT December came and went, and the first of the new year found the beavers snugly caught beneath a barricade of six inches of ice.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You may wonder at this, and think that no place on earth could be colder than the bottom of an ice-bound pond; but I am sure that a thermometer under water would have registered much higher temperature than one above, for if this were not so, the water would freeze solid to the bottom.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Did you ever have your playmates bury you in the snow just for fun?
