1864
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
completely unclothed
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
clatternounUS /ˈklætər/
a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
dismallyadverbUS /ˈdɪzməli/
in a cheerless manner
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
duckedverbUS /dʌkt/
past form of “duck” — to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
gallopingverbUS /ˈɡæləpɪŋ/
-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
hoofsnounUS /hʊfs/
plural of “hoof” — the foot of an ungulate mammal
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
the act of departing
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
engage in
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
MarylandnounUS /ˈmerələnd/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
the force of workers available
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
obscuredverbUS /əbsˈkjʊrd/
past form of “obscure” — make less visible or unclear
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
PIGEON'SnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
possessive form of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
with speed
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
ridersnounUS /ˈraɪdərz/
plural of “rider” — a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
succeedingadjectiveUS /səkˈsiːdɪŋ/
coming after or following
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
SymondsnounUS /ˈsɪməndz/
English writer (1840-1893)
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
carry out
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
temporarilyadverbUS /ˌtempərˈerəli/
for a limited time only; not permanently
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading "Take care, Symonds," said his companion quickly, and he ducked his head to avoid the bare branches of a huge tree.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Suddenly the silence was broken by the clatter of galloping hoofs, and two riders, leaving the highway, rode into the woods on their left.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading The shorter of the two men muttered an oath as his horse stumbled over the uneven ground.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The moon, temporarily obscured by heavy clouds, gave some light now and then, which but served to make the succeeding darkness more intense.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE PIGEON'S FLIGHT It was bitterly cold that December night, 1864, and the wind sighed dismally through the Maryland woods.
