used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
at or in the front
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was cool and clear and sweet.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
terminate
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The air was cool and clear and sweet.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The air was cool and clear and sweet.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
set up or found
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading He plodded along, happy in the prospect of work.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
journeyedverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrnid/
past form of “journey” — undertake a journey or trip
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
mesanounUS /ˈmeɪsə/
flat tableland with steep edges
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
not any; not one
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
over-zealous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
OwingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
by chance
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
ploddedverbUS /ˈplɑːdɪd/
inflected form of “plod” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading He plodded along, happy in the prospect of work.
potations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
the possibility of future success
From this reading He plodded along, happy in the prospect of work.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
starlitadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrlɪt/
lighted only by stars
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading He peered ahead, hoping to see the blur of a hill against the southern stars.
SundownnounUS /ˈsʌndaʊn/
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading The air was cool and clear and sweet.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading He began to realize this after he had journeyed along the dim, starlit trail for an hour or so and found no break in the level monotony of the mesa.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE JOKE Owing to his unaccustomed potations Sundown was perhaps a trifle over-zealous in taking the road at night.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He plodded along, happy in the prospect of work.
