ambushverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃ/
wait in hiding to attack
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
breedverbUS /briːd/
call forth
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
broodingnounUS /ˈbruːdɪŋ/
sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
divisible by two
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
fitfullyadverbUS /ˈfɪtfəli/
in a fitful manner
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
hop-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
house-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
the force of workers available
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
a particular point in time
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
my-thumbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
shrunkenadjectiveUS /ˈʃrʌŋkən/
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
skinflintnounUS /ˈskɪnflɪnt/
a selfish person who is unwilling to give or spend
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
smoke-grimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
Starvecrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no other light in the room; it was rarely the old skinflint suffered another.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
a special situation
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
Walterson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was night, and the fire, the one generous thing in the house-place at Starvecrow Farm, blazed fitfully; casting its light now on Walterson’s brooding face as he stooped over the heat, now on the huddled shrunken form that filled the farther side of the hearth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
whimsicallyadverbUS /ˈwɪmzɪkli/
in a fanciful manner
From this reading As the flames rose and fell, the shadows of the two men danced whimsically behind them.
which person or people
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading At one moment they sprang up, darkening the whole smoke-grimed ceiling and seeming to menace the persons who gave them birth, at another they sank into mere hop-o’-my-thumbs, lurking in ambush behind the furniture.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading And to-night the shutters were closed and barred that even the reflection of the blaze might not be seen without and breed suspicion.
