used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
alkalinounUS /ˈælkəlaɪ/
any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
next to; at the side of
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
browsnounUS /braʊz/
plural of “brow” — the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
commiserationnoun
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
cook-wagon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning to where Larkin had dropped in the shade of the cook-wagon, he said:
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
down-drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Returning to where Larkin had dropped in the shade of the cook-wagon, he said:
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
foot-weary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
haltverbUS /hɔːlt/
cause to stop
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
incessantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsesənt/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
Larkin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Returning to where Larkin had dropped in the shade of the cook-wagon, he said:
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
nippingadjectiveUS /ˈnɪpɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
the middle of the day
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
on one occasion
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
parchedadjectiveUS /pɑːrtʃt/
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
PHOTOGRAPHYnounUS /fəˈtɑːɡrəfi/
the act of taking and printing photographs
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
preliminariesnounUS /prɪˈlɪməneriz/
plural of “preliminary” — a minor match preceding the main event
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
proddings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading Returning to where Larkin had dropped in the shade of the cook-wagon, he said:
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Returning to where Larkin had dropped in the shade of the cook-wagon, he said:
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Returning to where Larkin had dropped in the shade of the cook-wagon, he said:
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
Sims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
the act of using
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY It was noon and the great column of parched animals and hot, dusty men had come to a halt under their alkali cloud beside a little stream.
weakestadjectiveUS /ˈwiːkəst/
superlative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
in or at the place that
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sims, walking among the sheep with down-drawn brows, noted their condition, how gaunt they were, how dirty and weary, and shook his head in commiseration.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The foot-weary sheep and cattle, without the usual preliminaries, lay down where they stood, relieved for once from the incessant nipping of the dogs and proddings of the men.
worn-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had he but known it he was as gaunt and worn-looking as the weakest of them.
