used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
awkwardlyadverbUS /ˈɔːkwərdli/
in an awkward manner
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
axnounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
exhale hard
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
lacking funds
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
choppingverbUS /ˈtʃɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “chop” — cut into pieces
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
disagreeableadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈɡriːəbəl/
not to your liking
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
excavationnounUS /ˌekskəˈveɪʃən/
the act of digging
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
firnounUS /fɜːr/
nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
Grubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his 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 Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
to a considerable degree
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
staying power
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
networknounUS /ˈnetwɜːrk/
an interconnected system of things or people
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
proppedverbUS /prɑːpt/
inflected form of “prop” — support by placing against something solid or rigid
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
rootnounUS /ruːt/
(botany) the usually underground organ that lacks buds or leaves or nodes; absorbs water and mineral salts; usually it anchors the plant to the ground
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
saturatedadjectiveUS /ˈsætʃəreɪtɪd/
being the most concentrated solution possible at a given temperature; unable to dissolve still more of a substance
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
for a short time
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
in the near future
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
in or at that place or location
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
ULTIMATUMnounUS /ˌʌltəˈmeɪtəm/
a final peremptory demand
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
precisely as stated
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Grubbing out a stump in wet weather is a singularly disagreeable task.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
at the time that
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
in or at the place that
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Harry crouched close beside him where he was partly sheltered from the rain by the network of roots which rose above his head.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His legs and feet were in a pool of water outside and there was very little room to swing the ax, while at every blow the saturated soil fell down on him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Frank, very wet and dirty, lay propped up on one elbow with his head and shoulders inside the hole, chopping awkwardly at a root.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE ULTIMATUM The frost soon broke up, and it was raining heavily one afternoon, when the boys were at work in an excavation they had driven under a big fir stump shortly after their shooting trip.
