used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a night it was!
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
make right or correct
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
plural of “difficulty” — an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
the act of discovering something
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
Don'snounUS /dɑːnz/
possessive form of “don” — a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
ebonadjective
of a very dark black
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
firefliesnounUS /ˈfaɪərflaɪz/
plural of “firefly” — tropical American click beetle having bright luminous spots
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
fringing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
having or deserving or conferring glory
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What a night it was!
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
leave-the
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
mazenounUS /meɪz/
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
myriadnounUS /ˈmɪriəd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
absolutely essential
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading What a night it was!
not any; not one
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
and nothing more
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
OverheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
a course of conduct
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
Puggles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
scantier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
scintillatingadjective
brilliantly clever
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
sea-shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
the season of growth
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
tiger-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
very small
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
untimelyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪmli/
badly timed
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The utmost caution was now necessary in order to avoid untimely discovery.
vegetationnounUS /ˌvedʒəˈteɪʃən/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What a night it was!
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading After a hard fight with the difficulties of the way--increased in no small degree by the dead weight of the tiger-skin--he and Puggles at length reached the limits of the jungle and paused for breath.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a night it was!
in or at the place that
From this reading Don's surmise as to the spring path proved correct--it extended quite to the foot of the hill, where it merged almost imperceptibly into the scantier vegetation fringing the sea-shore.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Overhead one glorious; maze of scintillating stars; in the jungle ebon: blackness, shot with the soft glow of myriad fireflies, that flashed their tiny lamps only to leave-the spot they had illumined more intensely black than before.
