used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
bronzedadjectiveUS /brɑːnzd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
Devine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
firnounUS /fɜːr/
nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
flour-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
hornyadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːrni/
feeling great sexual desire
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
and nothing more
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
the force of workers available
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
old-timeadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
poising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
PRECAUTIONSnounUS /priˈkɔːʃənz/
plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
prospectornounUS /ˈprɔːspektər/
someone who explores an area for mineral deposits
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
quartznounUS /kwɔːrts/
colorless glass made of almost pure silica
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
Identical; not different.
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
SAUNDERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
shatteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃætərd/
ruined or disrupted
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
suggestiveadjectiveUS /səˈdʒestɪv/
tending to suggest or imply
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a pile of shattered quartz at one side of him and another smaller heap of fragments of the same material lying on an empty flour-bag at his feet.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading SAUNDERS TAKES PRECAUTIONS The men from the settlement had been three weeks in camp.
which person or people
From this reading Devine, who had just announced that dinner was almost ready, leaned against a neighboring fir, looking on with a suggestive grin; and a big, gaunt, old-time prospector, with a grim, bronzed face, was carefully poising one of the quartz lumps in a horny hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Saunders sat with his back to a big fir and a little hammer in his hand.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Saunders, who had been at work since daylight that morning, had paid the latter six dollars for his services, and admitted that he was highly satisfied with the result.
