used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
put or send forth
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
covetousadjective
showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
drenchingnounUS /ˈdrentʃɪŋ/
the act of making something completely wet
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
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 He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
the force of workers available
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
miryadjective
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
Nasmyth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
not any; not one
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
win a victory over
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
with speed
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading He had had flood and frost against him, and his money was rapidly running out.
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
shantynounUS /ˈʃænti/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
shingle-splitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Nasmyth stood outside the shanty in the drenching rain.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
unremittingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnrɪˈmɪtɪŋ/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
WheelernounUS /ˈwiːlər/
Scottish archaeologist (1890-1976)
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
which person or people
From this reading Wheeler had secured the timber rights in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at least part of it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A PAINFUL DUTY Three months had slipped away since the evening on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of shingle-splitting with his companions.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He was very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, for the three months of unremitting effort had left their mark on him.
