used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
Barreau's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
blastingadjectiveUS /ˈblæstɪŋ/
causing injury or blight; especially affecting with sudden violence or plague or ruin
From this reading But the blasting cold pressed in everywhere.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the blasting cold pressed in everywhere.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
chilledverbUS /tʃɪld/
past form of “chill” — depress or discourage
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
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 But the blasting cold pressed in everywhere.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
to or in any or all places
From this reading But the blasting cold pressed in everywhere.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
freezingnounUS /ˈfriːzɪŋ/
the withdrawal of heat to change something from a liquid to a solid
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the blasting cold pressed in everywhere.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
lodgeverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
Montell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
nearnessnoun
the spatial property resulting from a relatively small distance
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
not any; not one
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
in the near future
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
compacted by ironing
From this reading But the blasting cold pressed in everywhere.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
swayingverbUS /ˈsweɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
tree-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
in or at the place that
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Presently, at Barreau’s suggestion, we set up Montell’s tent—fashioned after an Indian lodge—in the center of which could be built a small fire.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Our backs chilled to freezing while our faces were hot from nearness to the flame.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading No wind could reach us where we sat.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading At the worst, a gale could little more than set the tree-tops swaying, so thick stood the surrounding timber.
