used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
accompanimentnounUS /əˈkʌmpnɪmənt/
an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
completely unclothed
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
cottage-windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading I walked quickly, full of misgivings and yet undaunted.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
groaningverbUS /ˈɡroʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
howledverbUS /haʊld/
past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
misgivingsnounUS /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading I walked quickly, full of misgivings and yet undaunted.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
orchardsnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərdz/
plural of “orchard” — garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
with speed
From this reading I walked quickly, full of misgivings and yet undaunted.
Rose'snounUS /ˈroʊzɪz/
possessive form of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
scudded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
shakenadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪkən/
disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
strippedadjectiveUS /strɪpt/
having only essential or minimal features
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
a state of acute pain
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
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 Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
undauntedadjectiveUS /ənˈdɔːntɪd/
unshaken in purpose
From this reading I walked quickly, full of misgivings and yet undaunted.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading I walked quickly, full of misgivings and yet undaunted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
watch-dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the orchards, a few cottage-windows showed a glimmer of light; and the watch-dogs howled as I passed, to the accompaniment of their dragging chains.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Was it Rose's silence: I had heard nothing of her for a week?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I asked myself at intervals what was taking me to the farm, to probable suffering.
at the time that
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Immense black clouds scudded past in the darkness; a furious wind stripped the groaning branches of their leaves; and, when the moon suddenly pierced the night, gaunt figures appeared of almost bare trees twisted and shaken by the wind.
but in spite of that
From this reading I walked quickly, full of misgivings and yet undaunted.
