used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
arcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
blurverbUS /blɜːr/
become glassy; lose clear vision
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
terminate
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
Clarke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
enclose with a fence
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
FROZENadjectiveUS /ˈfroʊzən/
turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
fursnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
destroyed or killed
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
skylinenounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪn/
the outline of objects seen against the sky
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
snowyadjectiveUS /ˈsnoʊi/
marked by the presence of snow
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
Sweetwater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
possessing sweep
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
precisely as stated
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
at the time that
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had gone there for his mail, which included an English newspaper, and had taken supper at the hotel.
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
a Caucasian
From this reading There was no fence, not a tree to break the white expanse that ran back to the skyline, and it struck Clarke that the place looked very dreary.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading THE FROZEN NORTH A bitter wind swept the snowy prairie and the cold was arctic when Clarke, shivering in his furs, came into sight of his homestead as he walked back from Sweetwater.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He walked on, with the fine, dry snow the wind whipped up glistening on his furs.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading It was now about two hours after dark, but a full moon hung in the western sky, and the cluster of wooden buildings formed a shadowy blur on the glittering plain.
