used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
anew
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
(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 He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
approveverbUS /əˈpruːv/
give sanction to
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
creationnounUS /kriˈeɪʃən/
the human act of creating
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
digverbUS /dɪɡ/
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
put on clothes
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
let fall to the ground
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
gaspnounUS /ɡæsp/
a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
a long fixed look
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
joyfuladjectiveUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəl/
full of or producing joy
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
kinsmannounUS /ˈkɪnzmæn/
a male relative
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
mountaineernounUS /ˈmaʊntɪnɪr/
someone who climbs mountains
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
in motion
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
being perceived or observed
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
palings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
a course of conduct
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
with speed
From this reading Quickly he crouched behind the fence, and the aged look came back into his face.
rovingnounUS /ˈroʊvɪŋ/
travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
cut with a saw
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
slouchingverbUS /ˈslaʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “slouch” — assume a drooping posture or carriage
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
spurnounUS /spɜːr/
a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
squirmingverbUS /ˈskwɜːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “squirm” — to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
successive (without a break)
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
the upper part of anything
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
treasuresnounUS /ˈtreʒərz/
plural of “treasure” — accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading He did not approve of that man coming over there so often, kinsman though he was, and through the palings he saw his mother's face drop quickly and her hands moving uneasily in her lap.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
upliftedadjectiveUS /ˈʌplɪftɪd/
exalted emotionally especially with pride
From this reading His mother had her face uplifted toward the top of the spur; and following her gaze, he saw a tall mountaineer slouching down the path.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
at the time that
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
wipeverbUS /waɪp/
rub with a circular motion
From this reading And when the mountaineer sat down on the porch and took off his hat to wipe his forehead, he noticed that his mother had on a newly bought store dress, and that the man's hair was wet with something more than water.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He gave another quick dig, the earth gave up two more squirming treasures, and with a joyful gasp he stood straight again--his eyes roving as though to search all creation for help against the temptation that now was his.
