used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
the two together, not just one
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
caulkedadjective
having cracks and crevices stopped up with a filler
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
Clermont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
clothing in general
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
placed crosswise
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
fastidiousadjectiveUS /fæˈstɪdiəs/
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
hold firmly
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
notchedadjectiveUS /nɑːtʃt/
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
obliquelyadverbUS /əˈbliːkli/
to, toward or at one side
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
on one occasion
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
overallsnounUS /ˈoʊvərɔːlz/
plural of “overall” — (usually plural) work clothing consisting of denim trousers (usually with a bib and shoulder straps)
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
PARTNERnounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
piercedadjectiveUS /pɪrst/
having a hole cut through
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
radiateverbUS /ˈreɪdiət/
send out rays or waves
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
refinementsnounUS /rɪˈfaɪnmənts/
plural of “refinement” — a highly developed state of perfection; having a flawless or impeccable quality
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
ScottnounUS /skɑːt/
award-winning United States film actor (1928-1999)
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
seamsnounUS /siːmz/
plural of “seam” — joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
slackenedverbUS /ˈslækənd/
past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading A big stove, now empty, stood at one end, its pipe running obliquely across the room before it pierced the iron roof, so as to radiate as much heat as possible.
STRANGE'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
Thirlwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
at the time that
From this reading For a time when they first came up, both had clung to a few of the refinements of civilization, but their grasp on these had slackened, and now they frankly admitted that it was too much of an effort to change their clothes when they were tired.
in or at the place that
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The shack was built of pine logs, notched where they crossed at the corners, and the seams were caulked with clay and moss.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading STRANGE'S PARTNER The day's work was over and Thirlwell and his employer sat, smoking and talking, in their shack at the Clermont mine.
work-stained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Scott was young and had once been fastidious, but, like Thirlwell, he wore work-stained overalls.
