used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
the state of being absent
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
brushwoodnoun
the wood from bushes or small branches
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
someone employed to conduct others
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
hammeringnounUS /ˈhæmərɪŋ/
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
the force of workers available
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
continue talking
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
established beyond doubt
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
retracedverbUS /riˈtreɪst/
past form of “retrace” — to go back over again
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
rootedadjectiveUS /ˈruːtəd/
absolutely still
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
stealthyadjectiveUS /ˈstelθi/
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading But ten minutes’ search over the ground proved him to be mistaken, and the party retraced their steps, intending to proceed farther in their boat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
THE-WISP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But it did not occur to them at first that any stealthy hand had been concerned.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their guide was somewhat perplexed at the absence of huts, but concluded that he had come to another part of the island, and led his companions through a tangle of shrubs and brushwood, expecting to come upon the huts from the rear.
at the time that
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
in or at the place that
From this reading They stood rooted in consternation when, reaching the spot where they had left the boat, they discovered its disappearance.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
WILL-O
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILL-O’-THE-WISP Six men had landed from the boat, convinced that they had come to the island from which the sound of hammering had proceeded.
