used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
ashnounUS /æʃ/
the residue that remains when something is burned
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
next to; at the side of
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
crumbleverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəl/
fall apart
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
being one more than seven
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
enlargedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlɑːrdʒd/
(of an organ or body part) excessively enlarged as a result of increased size in the constituent cells
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
excavationsnounUS /ˌekskəˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “excavation” — the act of digging
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
extendingverbUS /ɪkˈstendɪŋ/
-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
fungusnounUS /ˈfʌŋɡəs/
an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
GIBBETnoun
alternative terms for gallows
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
ten 10s
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
inchesnounUS /ˈɪntʃəz/
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
insertionnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrʃən/
a message (spoken or written) that is introduced or inserted
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
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 The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
lipnounUS /lɪp/
either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
moundnounUS /maʊnd/
(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
pollardnounUS /ˈpɑːlərd/
a tree with limbs cut back to promote a more bushy growth of foliage
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
precipitousadjectiveUS /prɪˈsɪpɪtəs/
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
protrudingadjectiveUS /proʊˈtruːdɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
rabbit-buries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
resemblingverbUS /rɪˈzembəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
having a supporting base
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
in or at that place or location
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
touch-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pollard, indeed, was dead inside, and near the ground the black touch-wood showed.
TRAITORSnounUS /ˈtreɪtərz/
plural of “traitor” — someone who betrays his country by committing treason
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It formed a black ledge standing out seven or eight inches, two or three inches thick, and extending for a foot or more round the bark.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Some way up the trunk of the tree an immense flat fungus projected, roughly resembling the protruding lip of a savage enlarged by the insertion of a piece of wood.
in or to any place at all
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The bank was hollow with rabbit-buries: the summer heat had hardened the clay of the mound and caused it to crack and crumble wherever their excavations left a precipitous edge.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
WOODLANDnounUS /ˈwʊdlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading WOODLAND TWILIGHT: TRAITORS ON THE GIBBET In a hedge that joined a wood, and about a hundred yards from it, there was a pleasant hiding-place beside a pollard ash.
