used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
at or in the front
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Well, here we are, Michael, at last.”
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
ElknounUS /elk/
large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called “elk” in Europe and “moose” in North America
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Well, here we are, Michael, at last.”
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
immediately past
From this reading “Well, here we are, Michael, at last.”
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading “Well, here we are, Michael, at last.”
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
moderateverbUS /ˈmɑːdərət/
preside over
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
orientaladjectiveUS /ˌɔːriˈentəl/
denoting or characteristic of countries of the Far East
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
peeringverbUS /ˈpiːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
without speaking
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
trampedverbUS /træmpt/
past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
close enough to be walked to
From this reading The ground was so high that the carpet of leaves and moss was dry, with so little undergrowth that walking was as easy and pleasant as upon an oriental rug in one’s parlor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Well, here we are, Michael, at last.”
(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 “Well, here we are, Michael, at last.”
at the time that
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
in the company of; together with
From this reading Uncle Elk turned around and stepped off with a moderate but firm tread, using his staff more for pleasure than from necessity.
showing curiosity
From this reading The two tramped silently for a half mile or more, and Mike was peering ahead among the shaggy tree columns, wondering how much farther they had to go, when the guide halted, turned and in his gentle voice said:
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He did not look around, taking it for granted that his young friend was at his heels.
