used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
anew
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
armisticenounUS /ˈɑːrməstəs/
a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
battlingverbUS /ˈbætəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
CaribounounUS /ˈkerɪbuː/
Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes; called “reindeer” in Eurasia and “caribou” in North America
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
customaryadjectiveUS /ˈkʌstəmeri/
in accordance with convention or custom
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading Hesther McLeod was sitting in her doorway.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
favoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Hesther McLeod was sitting in her doorway.
Hesther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hesther McLeod was sitting in her doorway.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
lesseningnounUS /ˈlesənɪŋ/
a change downward
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
McLeod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hesther McLeod was sitting in her doorway.
mercilessadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrsələs/
having or showing no mercy
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
and nothing more
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
move hurridly
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
shorteningnounUS /ˈʃɔːrtənɪŋ/
fat such as butter or lard used in baked goods
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
shroudverbUS /ʃraʊd/
cover as if with a shroud
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Hesther McLeod was sitting in her doorway.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
under normal conditions
From this reading It was the favoured sitting place she usually selected when the flies and summer heat made her rough kitchen something approaching the intolerable.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
wagedverbUS /weɪdʒd/
past form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
warfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
at the time that
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
a Caucasian
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
belonging to which person
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading THE DREAM HILL It was less than ten weeks to the time when the first fierce rush of winter might be expected.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Already the days were shortening down with their customary rush, and in a brief time only the Caribou Valley, the river, the whole world of the far North would be lost to sight under the white shroud of battling elements, whose merciless warfare would be waged, with only brief intervals of armistice, until such time as the summer daylight dawned again.
but in spite of that
From this reading The intense heat of summer was lessening, but the ominous chill of winter had not yet made itself felt.
