used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
(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 All Nature slept with them.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
bundledverbUS /ˈbʌndəld/
past form of “bundle” — make into a bundle
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
eaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
enfeebledverbUS /enˈfiːbəld/
past form of “enfeeble” — make weak
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
exhaustionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən/
extreme fatigue
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
expiringverbUS /ɪkˈspaɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “expire” — lose validity
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
fastingnounUS /ˈfæstɪŋ/
abstaining from food
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
forty-fivenounUS /ˈfɔːrtifaɪv/
a .45-caliber pistol
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
frozenadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
GauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
hollow-eyedadjective
characteristic of the bony face of a cadaver
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
HuggingnounUS /ˈhʌɡɪŋ/
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
intensifyverbUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪ/
increase in extent or intensity
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
immediately past
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
the force of workers available
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
mercifuladjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsɪfəl/
showing or giving mercy
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
mercurynounUS /ˈmɜːrkjəri/
a heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element; the only metal that is liquid at ordinary temperatures
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading All Nature slept with them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
and nothing more
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
screamverbUS /skriːm/
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading All Nature slept with them.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
stalwartadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːlwərt/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
not in physical motion
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
succumbedverbUS /səˈkʌmd/
past form of “succumb” — consent reluctantly
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading All Nature slept with them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
articulate; either verbally or with a cry, shout, or noise
From this reading Gaunt and hollow-eyed, enfeebled from long fasting, they had succumbed at last to utter physical exhaustion, and fallen into a sound and merciful sleep.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading Hugging the grateful warmth of an expiring camp fire, the figures of two stalwart men lay stretched out on the hard, frozen ground, bundled up in heavy army blankets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading All Nature slept with them.
wolvesnounUS /wʊlvz/
plural of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading The distant howling of wolves and the occasional scream of an eagle only served to intensify the universal stillness.
zeroadjectiveUS /ˈzɪroʊ/
indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration
From this reading The mercury was forty-five below zero and still falling, but they did not appear to mind.
