used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
chokedadjectiveUS /tʃoʊkt/
stopped up; clogged up
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
cursedadjectiveUS /kɜːrst/
deserving a curse; sometimes used as an intensifier
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
hemlocknounUS /ˈhemlɑːk/
poisonous drug derived from an Eurasian plant of the genus Conium
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
and nothing more
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
engage in
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
and nothing more
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
PeeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
peltsnounUS /pelts/
plural of “pelt” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
RealizingverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
cut with a saw
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
Scairt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
sniffingverbUS /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
they'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
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 "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading "Scairt of a trap!" he thought to himself with a grin, and cursed his luck that he had not his rifle with him.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were six wolves, and big ones--enough to make things look pretty ugly for one man with only an axe.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "A couple o' them thick, grey pelts," he thought--"what a coat they'd make for the little one!"
in the company of; together with
From this reading Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
wolvesnounUS /wʊlvz/
plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Realizing that the wolves had something to occupy fully their attention, he now crept noiselessly forward just within the edge of the wood.
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 Peering forth from behind the cover of a drooping hemlock branch, he saw the roof of the hut, the half-open doorway nearly choked with snow, and the wolves prowling and sniffing around it, but keeping a couple of yards away.
