used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
(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 "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
BirchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
a youthful male person
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
a lawyer who pleads cases in court
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
crustedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌstɪd/
having a hardened crust as a covering
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
Cy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
one or the other of two
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
forenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
gum-gathering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
ice-fishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
for more time
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
marvellousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
come together
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
moodynounUS /ˈmuːdi/
United States tennis player who dominated women's tennis in the 1920s and 1930s (1905-1998)
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
not any; not one
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
obligationsnounUS /ˌɑːbləˈɡeɪʃənz/
plural of “obligation” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
and nothing more
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
privationsnounUS /praɪˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “privation” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
RaynounUS /reɪ/
a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
selfishadjectiveUS /ˈselfɪʃ/
concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
shakin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
the season of growth
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
squirrelnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəl/
a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
a special situation
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
a source of difficulty
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
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 "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
accept gladly
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
at the time that
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
which person or people
From this reading He was no longer a moody and selfish boy, thinking only of his own privations, but more of a man, who realized that he had duties and obligations toward others, as well as himself.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
winter-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then a day came when the crusted snow permitted a gum-gathering trip into the forest, or a few midday hours at ice-fishing; and never were the first signs of spring more welcome than to those winter-bound prisoners.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading The wise counsel and patient example of Old Cy had not been lost upon Ray, either; and that winter's experience had changed him to an almost marvellous degree.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
woodchucknounUS /ˈwʊdtʃʌk/
reddish brown North American marmot
From this reading For two months life at Birch Camp much resembled that of a woodchuck or a squirrel.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading "The biggest fool thing--an' we all do it--is shakin' hands with trouble 'fore ye meet it."--Old Cy Walker.
