used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
in a state of sleep
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
cotnounUS /kɑːt/
a sheath worn to protect a finger
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
the state or fact of existing
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
hardenedadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdənd/
used of persons; emotionally hardened
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
hardiestadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdiəst/
superlative of “hardy” — having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
Keith
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
moaningverbUS /ˈmoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
being perceived or observed
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
and nothing more
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
a judge of a probate court
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
a human being
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
prospector's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
prostrateverbUS /ˈprɑːstreɪt/
get into a prostrate position, as in submission
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
rigorousadjectiveUS /ˈrɪɡərəs/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading His eyes wandered constantly about the room, but seemed to notice nothing.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not asleep, but lying on the cot, moaning in a pitiful manner.
look attentively
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE NIGHT WATCH As Keith bent over the prostrate man, he noticed how delicate were his hands, not cramped and hardened like the ordinary prospector's.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
in or at the place that
From this reading What could such a person do in the rigorous north, where only the hardiest had any chance of existence?
a Caucasian
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He looked upon his face, white and worn, the face of an old man.
