used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
chinksnounUS /tʃɪŋks/
plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
crackingnounUS /ˈkrækɪŋ/
a sudden sharp noise
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
curs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
DESPISEDadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
dull-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
filteredverbUS /ˈfɪltərd/
past form of “filter” — remove by passing through a filter
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
fringedadjective
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
in a gradual manner
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
grain-sack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
moccasinsnounUS /ˈmɑːkəsɪnz/
plural of “moccasin” — soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
shieldedadjectiveUS /ˈʃiːldɪd/
(used especially of machinery) protected by a shield to prevent injury
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
shodadjectiveUS /ʃɑːd/
wearing footgear
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
skirtnounUS /skɜːrt/
cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
snugglingnoun
affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs)
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
Squawnoun
derogatory terms for an American Indian woman
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
stockadenounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪd/
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
swayedverbUS /sweɪd/
past form of “sway” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
possessing sweep
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
taillessadjective
not having a tail
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DESPISED Squaw Charley crouched, dull-eyed, among the dogs.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
warmernounUS /ˈwɔːrmər/
device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The dark folds of his blanket were drawn tight over his tattered waist.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Close around his feet, which were shod in old and cracking moccasins, was tucked his fringed skirt.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
whined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As an icy gust now and then filtered in through the chinks of the stockade wall and swept him, he swayed gently back and forth; while the tailless curs snuggling against him whined in sympathy and fought for a warmer place.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading An empty grain-sack covered his head and shielded his face from the wind.
