used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What are you meditating upon, Hilton?"
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Maxwell asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
next to; at the side of
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
clovernounUS /ˈkloʊvər/
a plant of the genus Trifolium
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
DanenounUS /deɪn/
a native or inhabitant of Denmark
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
ditchnounUS /dɪtʃ/
a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
eeryadjective
inspiring a feeling of fear; strange and frightening
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
filteredverbUS /ˈfɪltərd/
past form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
firsnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fir” — nonresinous wood of a fir tree
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
hedgeverbUS /hedʒ/
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
Hilton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What are you meditating upon, Hilton?"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
and nothing more
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
luminescencenounUS /ˌluːməˈnesəns/
light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
MaxwellnounUS /ˈmækswel/
a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
meditatingverbUS /ˈmedəteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “meditate” — reflect deeply on a subject
From this reading "What are you meditating upon, Hilton?"
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
POACHERnounUS /ˈpoʊtʃər/
someone who hunts or fishes illegally on the property of another
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
poachersnounUS /ˈpoʊtʃərz/
plural of “poacher” — someone who hunts or fishes illegally on the property of another
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
not often
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
sighingverbUS /ˈsaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
subduedadjectiveUS /səbˈduːd/
in a softened tone
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "What are you meditating upon, Hilton?"
precisely as stated
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What are you meditating upon, Hilton?"
at the time that
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Rain had fallen throughout the day, and now heavy clouds drifted overhead, while a chilly breeze shook an eery sighing out of the firs behind him.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The moon was seldom visible, but a subdued luminescence filtered through, and he could just see Maxwell crouching in a neighboring ditch which was not wholly dry.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading THE POACHER It was a chilly night when Dane crouched in very damp clover beside a straggling hedge, waiting for the poachers, and wishing he had been wise enough to remain at home.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What are you meditating upon, Hilton?"
