used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
audibleadjectiveUS /ˈɑːdəbəl/
heard or perceptible by the ear
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
clammyadjectiveUS /ˈklæmi/
unpleasantly cool and humid
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
desiresnounUS /dɪˈzaɪərz/
plural of “desire” — the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
dripverbUS /drɪp/
fall in drops
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
let fall to the ground
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
opinion or judgment
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
an established custom
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
immediately past
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
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 For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
the force of workers available
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
merry-making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
misgivingsnounUS /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
not any; not one
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
and nothing more
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
a light shade of red
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
rainedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
the state of being asleep
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
make steady
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
swishverbUS /swɪʃ/
move with or cause to move with a whistling or hissing sound
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
swoopnounUS /swuːp/
(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
tent-pegs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading At three o'clock Pink, from long habit, opened his eyes to the dull gray of early morning.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
uneasilyadverbUS /əˈniːzəli/
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
viciousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪʃəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To be late in starting for that particular scene of merry-making which had held their desires for so long would be a calamity they could not reflect upon calmly.
which person or people
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For obvious reasons he was the only one of the lot who heard with no misgivings the vicious swoop of the storm; so long as the tent-pegs held he didn't care how hard it rained.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But the others who woke to the roar of wind and the crash of thunder and to the swish and beat of much falling water, turned uneasily in their beds and hoped that it would not last long.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading The air in the tent was clammy and chill and filled with the audible breathing of a dozen sleeping men; overhead the canvas was dull yellow and sodden with the steady drip, drip, drop of rain.
