used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
in a state of sleep
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
CanadianadjectiveUS /kəˈneɪdiən/
of or relating to Canada or its people
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
condemnedverbUS /kənˈdemd/
past form of “condemn” — express strong disapproval of
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
crestsnounUS /krests/
plural of “crest” — the top line of a hill, mountain, or wave
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
dazzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdæzəlɪŋ/
amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
take in liquids
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
the organ of sight
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading THE FLIGHT.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
interchanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
majesticadjectiveUS /məˈdʒestɪk/
majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
of an obscure nature
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
quiververbUS /ˈkwɪvər/
shake with fast, tremulous movements
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
except for; apart from
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
sentrynounUS /ˈsentri/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
tediumnounUS /ˈtiːdiəm/
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FLIGHT.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
tranquiladjectiveUS /ˈtræŋkwəl/
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
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 At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
tuftedadjectiveUS /ˈtʌftɪd/
(of plants) growing in small dense clumps or tufts
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
at the time that
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
a Caucasian
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
which person or people
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
belonging to which person
From this reading At times a mysterious quiver ran over the trees, and shook their tufted crests, whose leaves rustled with a strange sound.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading A majestic silence brooded over the prairie; all were asleep in the island save the two Canadian sentries, who, leaning on their rifles, followed with absent eye the tall shadows of the wild beasts that slowly came down to drink in the river.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The night covered the tranquil desert with its dark blue sky, studded with dazzling stars.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading Dick and Harry, the two worthy hunters, interchanged a few words in a low voice to while away the tedium of their long sentry go, to which they were condemned, when suddenly a white shadow glided through the trees, and Ellen stood by their side.
