used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading He stopped often, listening and sniffing the air.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
chargesnounUS /ˈtʃɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “charge” — an impetuous rush toward someone or something
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
a steep high face of rock
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
compactnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
placed crosswise
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
encounterverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
an opposing military force
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
opinion or judgment
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
set up or found
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
Gron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
herdersnounUS /ˈhɜːrdərz/
plural of “herder” — German philosopher who advocated intuition over reason (1744-1803)
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
immediately past
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading He stopped often, listening and sniffing the air.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
engage in
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
a particular point in time
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
NunounUS /nuː/
the 13th letter of the Greek alphabet
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He stopped often, listening and sniffing the air.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
with speed
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
sniffingverbUS /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading He stopped often, listening and sniffing the air.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
spoornounUS /spʊr/
the trail left by a person or an animal; what the hunter follows in pursuing game
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading He stopped often, listening and sniffing the air.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
a special situation
From this reading Every living thing that he might encounter could be nothing other than an enemy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
warilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a wary manner
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Nu went warily, keeping every sense alert against surprise by savage beast or man.
in or at the place that
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a while he could make neither head nor tail to the tangled spoor of the herd, but at last he found the point where the herders evidently had collected their charges and driven them in a more or less compact formation toward the opposite side of the forest.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading So Nu dropped quickly down to the foot of the cliff, crossed the clearing, and a moment later disappeared from the eyes of Gron into the shadows of the wood.
