used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
quickly and without warning
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
the act of breaking something
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
chickadees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
chorusnounUS /ˈkɔːrəs/
any utterance produced simultaneously by a group
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
clewnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
corporalnounUS /ˈkɔːrpərəl/
a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
the first light of day
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
dimnessnoun
the state of being poorly illuminated
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
elfinadjectiveUS /ˈelfɪn/
suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
opinion or judgment
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
gnawingverbUS /ˈnɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
grewsome
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
hissverbUS /hɪs/
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
immediately past
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
minutiæ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
mistyadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsti/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
NO-MAN'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
pipings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
quakingverbUS /ˈkweɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “quake” — shake with fast, tremulous movements
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
ruminativeadjective
deeply or seriously thoughtful
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
scrutinynounUS /ˈskruːtəni/
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
sputterverbUS /ˈspʌtər/
make an explosive sound
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
not in physical motion
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
propel through the air
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
in the direction of
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
travelersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveler” — a person who changes location
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He stirred abruptly at the breaking of his thoughts, and turned for a final scrutiny of the ground about him.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Behind him he could hear the faint sputter and hiss of live fire still gnawing under the cabin timbers.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
having passed out of existence
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading For more than an hour he ranged back and forth in the misty dawn, searching for any small clew or minutiæ of fact that might in some way throw light upon last night's grewsome mysteries.
wheeledadjectiveUS /wiːld/
having wheels; often used in combination
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
in or at the place that
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
whiskedverbUS /wɪskt/
past form of “whisk” — move somewhere quickly
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading NO-MAN'S COUNTRY The corporal lingered by the smoking embers, gazing with a queer, ruminative look in his eyes towards the spot where quaking branches cut off his last sight of the departing travelers.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A chorus of shrill, thin pipings sounded from the dimness of the woods, and a band of chickadees wheeled forth in elfin flight, whisked past his face, and vanished across the clearing.
