used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
alders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Instantly he was all attention, his eyes glued to the spot.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Instantly he was all attention, his eyes glued to the spot.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
chilledverbUS /tʃɪld/
past form of “chill” — depress or discourage
From this reading He forgot that he was beginning to feel chilled.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
damnounUS /dæm/
a barrier constructed to contain the flow of water or to keep out the sea
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading A warm glow of excitement rushed over him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading He forgot that he was beginning to feel chilled.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading He forgot that he was beginning to feel chilled.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading A warm glow of excitement rushed over him.
gluedadjectiveUS /ɡluːd/
affixed or as if affixed with glue or paste
From this reading Instantly he was all attention, his eyes glued to the spot.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A warm glow of excitement rushed over him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Instantly he was all attention, his eyes glued to the spot.
and nothing more
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
in motion
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A warm glow of excitement rushed over him.
by chance
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
done under pressure
From this reading A warm glow of excitement rushed over him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
scanningnounUS /ˈskænɪŋ/
the process of translating photographs into a digital form that can be recognized by a computer
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
screenedverbUS /skriːnd/
past form of “screen” — test or examine for the presence of disease or infection
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
Sparrer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Instantly he was all attention, his eyes glued to the spot.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
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 He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
the topmost one of two
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
at the time that
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had sat there perhaps ten minutes, and was just beginning to realize that he would have to move on in order to keep warm when his eyes, idly scanning the farther shore, detected something moving among the trees beyond the farther end of the little dam.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE SILVER FOX The log on which Sparrer was seated was near the edge of the swamp and commanded a view of the small upper pond, while he himself was more or less screened from observation from that direction by a fringe of young birch and alders.
