adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
ATLANTICnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/
the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
calledverbUS /kɔːld/
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
ComeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
dozennounUS /ˈdʌzən/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
filteredverbUS /ˈfɪltərd/
past form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
frost-encrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
furtheradverbUS /ˈfɜːrðər/
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
glassnounUS /ɡlæs/
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
gustsnounUS /ɡʌsts/
plural of “gust” — a strong current of air
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
ICEnounUS /aɪs/
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is a nasty night."
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
nastyadjectiveUS /ˈnæsti/
offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading It is a nasty night."
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It is a nasty night."
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
preliminariesnounUS /prɪˈlɪməneriz/
plural of “preliminary” — a minor match preceding the main event
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
rappings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
repeatedadjectiveUS /rɪˈpiːtɪd/
recurring again and again
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
smotheringadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərɪŋ/
causing difficulty in breathing especially through lack of fresh air and presence of heat
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
staggeringadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡərɪŋ/
so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
steppedverbUS /stept/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
sweptadjectiveUS /swept/
possessing sweep
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
swirledverbUS /swɜːrld/
past form of “swirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
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 ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading At first there was no response, but after repeated rappings some one moved within, and in a moment the door opened and a voice called to us, "Come, come out of the snow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading A light filtered dimly through one of the frost-encrusted windows, and I tapped loudly upon the glass.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading ON THE ATLANTIC ICE The dogs had stopped within a dozen feet of the building, but it was barely distinguishable through the thick clouds of smothering snow which the wind, risen to a terrific gale, swirled around us as it swept down in staggering gusts from the invisible hills above.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without further preliminaries we stepped into the shelter of the broad, comfortable hall.
