used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
carvingnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋ/
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
castingnounUS /ˈkæstɪŋ/
object formed by a mold
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
ceiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
consumptionnounUS /kənˈsʌmpʃən/
the process of taking food into the body through the mouth (as by eating)
From this reading Then his wife had died of a swift consumption.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
crackedadjectiveUS /krækt/
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Then his wife had died of a swift consumption.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
Hackett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then his wife had died of a swift consumption.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
invalidnounUS /ˈɪnvələd/
someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
oblongadjectiveUS /ˈɑːblɔːŋ/
(of a leaf shape) having a somewhat elongated form with approximately parallel sides
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
paralysisnounUS /pərˈæləsəs/
loss of the ability to move a body part
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
patchworknounUS /ˈpætʃwɜːrk/
a theory or argument made up of miscellaneous or incongruous ideas
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
quiltnounUS /kwɪlt/
bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
roughlyadverbUS /ˈrʌfli/
(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
rustverbUS /rʌst/
become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
senileadjectiveUS /ˈsiːnaɪl/
mentally or physically infirm with age
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
stainsnounUS /steɪnz/
plural of “stain” — a soiled or discolored appearance
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
streamedverbUS /striːmd/
past form of “stream” — to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
moving very fast
From this reading Then his wife had died of a swift consumption.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then his wife had died of a swift consumption.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
unyieldingadjectiveUS /əˈnjiːldɪŋ/
stubbornly unyielding
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
walledverbUS /wɔːld/
past form of “wall” — surround with a wall in order to fortify
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A few weeks later he had been struck down with paralysis, from which he partly recovered to find himself grown suddenly senile and a helpless invalid.
in or at the place that
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Then his wife had died of a swift consumption.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The sunlight streamed in the window, showing the red stains of rust on the cracked kitchen stove, and casting an oblong figure of brightness on the faded patchwork quilt which covered the low bed in the corner.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The room where the old man sat was roughly ceiled and walled with brown boards.
woodsmannounUS /ˈwʊdzmæn/
someone who lives in the woods
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
a late time of life
From this reading Two years earlier John Hackett had been an erect and powerful woodsman, strong in the task of carving himself a home out of the unyielding wilderness.
