used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
anew
From this reading Yes, there it was again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
a young person of either sex
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
having the place or position changed
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
opinion or judgment
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
in a gradual manner
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Yes, there it was again.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
murmuringnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
except for; apart from
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
soundingadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/
appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
not in physical motion
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CRY IN THE NIGHT.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yes, there it was again.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He listened to see if the cry had disturbed any of the others but everything was perfectly still, save for the murmuring of the spruce boughs as they swayed gently in the light breeze.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yes, there it was again.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading “Nothing but a wild cat,” he thought as he sank back and closed his eyes.
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, there it was again.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A shrill cry far away sounding like a young child in pain.
