used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
adoptingverbUS /əˈdɑːptɪŋ/
-ing form of “adopt” — choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
anew
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
BeavernounUS /ˈbiːvər/
the soft brown fur of the beaver
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
boutnounUS /baʊt/
(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
BrooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
confusingadjectiveUS /kənˈfjuːzɪŋ/
causing confusion or disorientation
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
cunninglyadverb
in an attractive manner
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
Cy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
deadfalls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
doublingnounUS /ˈdʌbəlɪŋ/
increase by a factor of two
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
an opposing military force
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
set up or found
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
gum-gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
ill-omenedadjective
marked by or promising bad fortune
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
go away from a place
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
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 dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
loneadjectiveUS /loʊn/
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
a particular point in time
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
oftadverbUS /ɔːft/
many times at short intervals
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
on one occasion
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
and nothing more
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
RaynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
spruces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
tacticsnounUS /ˈtæktɪks/
the branch of military science dealing with detailed maneuvers to achieve objectives set by strategy
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
Thar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
trappernounUS /ˈtræpər/
someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
WalkernounUS /ˈwɔːkər/
New Zealand runner who in 1975 became the first person to run a mile in less that 3 minutes and 50 seconds (born in 1952)
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading When the deadfalls had been visited and they began gum-gathering again, they watched constantly for an enemy.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
weirdadjectiveUS /wɪrd/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading A dense forest of tall spruces is at best a weird and ill-omened spot.
at the time that
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
in or at the place that
From this reading They dared not leave their canoe where it might be easily found, but adopting Indian tactics, Old Cy cunningly hid it in a rank growth of swamp grass, and oft doubling on their own tracks and wading the shallow stream, left only a confusing trail.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Old Cy and Ray once more made their way up the Beaver Brook valley, it was with the feeling that this lone and sinister trapper might be met at any moment.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading "Thar's two things it don't pay to worry 'bout,--those ye can help 'n' and those ye can't."--Old Cy Walker.
