used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
attractverbUS /əˈtrækt/
direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
dearly loved
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
DotnounUS /dɑːt/
a very small circular shape
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
idiotnounUS /ˈɪdiːət/
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
lanesnounUS /leɪnz/
plural of “lane” — a narrow way or road
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
immediately past
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
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 She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
become covered with mist
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
a particular point in time
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
ploughedadjectiveUS /plaʊd/
(of farmland) broken and turned over with a plow
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
the possibility of future success
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
puddleverbUS /ˈpʌdəl/
wade or dabble in a puddle
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
SCORPIONnounUS /ˈskɔːrpiən/
(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Scorpio
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
Squinny's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
STINGverbUS /stɪŋ/
cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
having come into contact
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
in the direction of
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
veiledadjectiveUS /veɪld/
having or as if having a veil or concealing cover
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dot, emerging from old Squinny's cottage, stood a moment on the edge of the large puddle that was old Squinny's garden and gazed over the ploughed fields beyond towards the sinking sun.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It was the last day in January, and the winter dusk was already creeping up in a curtain of damp mist that veiled everything it touched.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading THE STING OF A SCORPION "Oh, dear, I wish it wasn't so muddy."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She knew it would be dark long before she got home, and the prospect of sliding about in the muddy lanes did not attract her.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You were an idiot not to bring a lantern," she told herself severely, as she skirted the edge of the puddle.
