used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
anew
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
aldernounUS /ˈɔːldər/
wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
(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 Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
clumpsnounUS /klʌmps/
plural of “clump” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
clustersnounUS /ˈklʌstərz/
plural of “cluster” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
dewnounUS /duː/
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
flashlightnounUS /ˈflæʃlaɪt/
a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
a young female
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
destroyed or killed
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
grippingadjectiveUS /ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
huddledadjectiveUS /ˈhʌdəld/
crowded or massed together
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
a course of conduct
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
pluckilyadverb
in a plucky manner
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
one of four equal parts
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
Red's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
RodgersnounUS /ˈrɑːdʒərz/
United States composer of musical comedies (especially in collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein II and with Lorenz Hart) (1902-1979)
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
showeredverbUS /ˈʃaʊərd/
past form of “shower” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
soakedadjectiveUS /soʊkt/
very drunk
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
not in physical motion
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
trudgedverbUS /trʌdʒd/
past form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
wadedverbUS /ˈweɪdɪd/
past form of “wade” — walk (through relatively shallow water)
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading Evening dew had placed its cold wet hand over all.
at the time that
From this reading They had not gone a quarter of a mile when they were soaked to the skin.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading The path followed by Red Rodgers and the girl was little more than a wild animal trail along the edge of a wilderness.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Still, without a word, the girl, gripping Red’s small flashlight, trudged pluckily forward.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Here they passed through clumps of alder that showered icy drops upon them, here waded waist deep in ferns that were like a tossing sea, and here again they crowded their way through clusters of young spruce huddled close together like children afraid of the night.
