used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
adobenounUS /əˈdoʊbi/
the clay from which adobe bricks are made
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
at or in the front
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
completely unclothed
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
barrelsnounUS /ˈbærəlz/
the amount that many barrels might hold
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
CRUSOE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
characterized by great determination
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
opinion or judgment
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
only a very short time before
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
hatchetnounUS /ˈhætʃət/
weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
a social unit living together
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
JOYCEnounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
Lee'snounUS /liːz/
possessive form of “lee” — United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
RanchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
ROBINSONnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
unfurnishedadjective
not equipped with what is needed especially furniture
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He did not know which one held his gun, but he was determined to find it before the sun went down.
in or at the place that
From this reading For nearly three weeks they had been at Lee's Ranch, half a mile farther down the road, waiting for the goods to come, and to find a place where they could set up a home of their own.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
wieldingverbUS /ˈwiːldɪŋ/
-ing form of “wield” — have and exercise
From this reading Jack, in the bare unfurnished room behind her, was noisily wielding a hatchet, opening the boxes and barrels of household goods which had followed them by freight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A ROBINSON CRUSOE OF THE DESERT JOYCE stood in the door of the little adobe house, and looked out across the desert with tears in her eyes.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
a late time of life
From this reading If _this_ was to be their home through all the dreary years that stretched ahead of them, it hardly seemed worth while to go on living.
