used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
react verbally
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
balancedadjectiveUS /ˈbælənst/
being in a state of proper equilibrium
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
crevicenounUS /ˈkrevəs/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
diameternounUS /daɪˈæmətər/
the length of a straight line passing through the center of a circle and connecting two points on the circumference
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
being one more than seven
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
lashverbUS /læʃ/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
matteredverbUS /ˈmætərd/
past form of “matter” — have weight; have import, carry weight
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
Ned's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
notchesnounUS /ˈnɑːtʃəz/
plural of “notch” — a V-shaped indentation
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
on one occasion
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
not in physical motion
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
at the time that
From this reading Ned was still strong enough to answer her call when she returned, and the dim light still permitted him to see her lay the pole she had cut as a bridge across the crevice, cutting notches in the ice to hold it firm.
wieldedverbUS /ˈwiːldɪd/
past form of “wield” — have and exercise
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading Never before had her blows been so true, so telling on the tough wood.
woodsman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bess had need of her woodsman’s knowledge now.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Almost at once she had done her work and was started back with a tough pole, eight feet long and four inches in diameter, balanced on her sturdy shoulder.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
but in spite of that
From this reading Before, in the fuel cutting of months before, she had wielded the axe in fear of the lash, but to-day she worked for Ned’s life, for the one dream that mattered yet.
