Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

for the reason that

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

plural of “bluff” — a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

eat an early morning meal

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

(of events) having extremely unfortunate or dire consequences; bringing ruin

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

-ing form of “divide” — separate into parts or portions

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

be a signal for or a symptom of

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

past form of “infuse” — teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

not close together in time

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

plural of “juniper” — desert shrub of Syria and Arabia having small white flowers; constitutes the juniper of the Old Testament; sometimes placed in genus Genista

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

immediately past

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

enter into a log, as on ships and planes

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

for the most time

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

inflected form of “meet” — come together

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

not able to be found

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

above and across; more than

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

a small pan or cup (usually of tin)

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

uniquely or characteristically

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

block consisting of a thick piece of something

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

occupy a large, elongated area

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

two times

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

lacking timbers

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

wanting in physical strength

From this reading A pannikin of weak tea made from leaves which already had been twice infused stood among the embers; and Benson was leaning over a log, dividing the last of the meat.

at the time that

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading This was peculiarly unfortunate, because an Indian trapper whom they had met two days before had told them that their course led across a wide untimbered stretch, on the opposite side of which one or two isolated bluffs would indicate the neighborhood of the factory.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A RESPITE Light snow was driving across the waste before a savage wind when the party sat at breakfast one morning.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Disastrous consequences might follow the missing of these woods.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Day had broken, but there was little light, and Blake, looking out from behind a slab of rock in the shelter of which a few junipers clung, thought that three or four miles would be the longest distance that he could see.