adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
boomingadjectiveUS /ˈbuːmɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
deepadjectiveUS /diːp/
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
employedadjectiveUS /emˈplɔɪd/
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
Festing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
fortunateadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrtʃənət/
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
gulliesnounUS /ˈɡʌliz/
plural of “gully” — deep ditch cut by running water (especially after a prolonged downpour)
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
honeycombedadjective
pitted with cell-like cavities (as a honeycomb)
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
ice-floe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
labornounUS /ˈleɪbər/
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
massnounUS /mæs/
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
notenounUS /noʊt/
a brief written record
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
pinesnounUS /paɪnz/
plural of “pine” — a coniferous tree
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
ponderedverbUS /ˈpɑːndərd/
past form of “ponder” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
river'snounUS /ˈrɪvərz/
possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
rocknounUS /rɑːk/
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
runverbUS /rʌn/
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
sharpernounUS /ˈʃɑːrpər/
a professional card player who makes a living by cheating at card games
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
slushverbUS /slʌʃ/
make a splashing sound
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
splashedadjectiveUS /splæʃt/
(of a fluid) having been propelled about in flying drops or masses
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
stonesnounUS /stoʊnz/
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
surfacenounUS /ˈsɜːrfəs/
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
THAWnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
turmoilnounUS /ˈtɜːrmɔɪl/
a violent disturbance
From this reading For a few moments he pondered the matter and listened to the river's turmoil.
turningnounUS /ˈtɜːrnɪŋ/
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
usefullyadverbUS /ˈjuːsfəli/
in a useful manner
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The deep, booming note was sharper, water splashed noisily in the gullies, and there was a ringing crash as an ice-floe broke upon a rock.
wearverbUS /wer/
be dressed in
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
wentverbUS /went/
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE THAW When Festing went out at daybreak the air was soft, and drops from the wet pines fell into the honeycombed snow.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The surface was turning to slush, but he knew it would wear down into a slippery mass on which the logs would run.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading This was fortunate, because he doubted if labor could be usefully employed upon the stones just yet.
