used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
a suite of rooms usually on one floor of an apartment house
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
a youthful male person
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
clubhousenounUS /ˈklʌbhaʊs/
a building that is occupied by a social club
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
Crandall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
ElknounUS /elk/
large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called “elk” in Europe and “moose” in North America
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
brought together in one place
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
illuminationnounUS /ˌɪluːməˈneɪʃən/
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
investigatingnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtɪŋ/
the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
lorenounUS /lɔːr/
knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
most important element
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
mildadjectiveUS /maɪld/
moderate in type or degree or effect or force; far from extreme
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
MurphynounUS /ˈmɜːrfi/
an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
not any; not one
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
reportsnounUS /rɪˈpɔːrts/
plural of “report” — a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
cut with a saw
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
ScoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Jack Crandall, the hero of the broken leg, sat in his invalid chair in front of the fireplace and at his side was Uncle Elk.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The bright light from the main room of the clubhouse showed that the Boy Scouts were gathered there and he decided to go in.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As Mike Murphy approached the landing he saw the second canoe drawn up the beach, which was proof that his friends had returned from their excursion to the western end of the lake.
which person or people
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The night was so mild that no fire burned on the broad hearth, but the suspended lamp filled the apartment with a soft illumination which served almost as well as midday.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Jack had been listening to the reports of his young friends who had been investigating trees, but were mostly interested in bird lore.
