used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
averagingverbUS /ˈævrɪdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “average” — amount to or come to an average, without loss or gain
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
charredverbUS /tʃɑːrd/
inflected form of “char” — burn to charcoal
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
clumpnounUS /klʌmp/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
coveringnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
eyedadjectiveUS /aɪd/
having an eye or eyes or eyelike feature especially as specified; often used in combination
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
foliagenounUS /ˈfoʊlɪdʒ/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
highest in quality
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
leafyadjectiveUS /ˈliːfi/
having or covered with leaves
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
a particular point in time
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
in the near future
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
refugenounUS /ˈrefjuːdʒ/
a safe place
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
try to get or reach
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
that is looked for
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
stumpsnounUS /stʌmps/
plural of “stump” — the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
surprisesnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Next moment I experienced one of the greatest surprises of my life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
thick-leaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Presently I decided, as the sun was now beating down upon our heads, to crawl underneath the nearest clump of bushes and seek coolness in their shade.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were green with a thick-leaved foliage, and as I sat idly looking at them it occurred to me they were very pretty in such a place and relieved the dismal appearance of the charred stumps.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading This I proceeded to do, dropping on hands and knees and creeping beneath the leafy covering while my friends eyed me curiously.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The space or clearing in which we had sought refuge was covered thickly with bushes averaging from two to three feet in height.
