used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE BRIDE OF AN HOUR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
completely unclothed
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading THE BRIDE OF AN HOUR.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
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 It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
coonnounUS /kuːn/
an eccentric or undignified rustic
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
courageousadjectiveUS /kərˈeɪdʒəs/
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
crustedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌstɪd/
having a hardened crust as a covering
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
densnounUS /denz/
plural of “den” — the habitation of wild animals
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
an opposing military force
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
divisible by two
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
hoarnounUS /hɔːr/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading THE BRIDE OF AN HOUR.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
iciclesnounUS /ˈaɪsɪkəlz/
plural of “icicle” — ice resembling a pendent spear, formed by the freezing of dripping water
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
invigoratingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪɡəreɪtɪŋ/
imparting strength and vitality
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
nestledadjectiveUS /ˈnesəld/
drawn or pressed close to someone or something for or as if for affection or protection
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
nestsnounUS /nests/
plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
not one, and not any
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BRIDE OF AN HOUR.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
possumnounUS /ˈpɑːsəm/
nocturnal arboreal marsupial having a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
rabbitnounUS /ˈræbət/
any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
except for; apart from
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
try to get or reach
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
snow-birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
not in physical motion
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BRIDE OF AN HOUR.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
very small
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
precisely as stated
From this reading And none of nature's small children ventured from their nests, save the hardy and courageous little snow-birds that came to seek their food even at the very threshold of their natural enemy--man.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It was a clear, cold, sharp, invigorating winter morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The snow was crusted over with hoar frost, and the bare forest trees were hung with icicles.
wood-mouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cunning fox, the 'possum and the 'coon, crept shivering from their dens; but the shy, gray rabbit, and the tiny, brown wood-mouse, still nestled in their holes.
