used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
in a state of sleep
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
BuzzverbUS /bʌz/
make a buzzing sound
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
crackledverbUS /ˈkrækəld/
past form of “crackle” — make a crackling sound
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
encircledadjectiveUS /ɪnˈsɜːrkəld/
confined on all sides
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
ever-increasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
fitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfɪtfəl/
occurring in spells and often abruptly
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
destroyed or killed
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
cause to move by striking
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
invadedverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdəd/
past form of “invade” — march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
mosquitoesnounUS /məˈskiːtoʊz/
plural of “mosquito” — two-winged insect whose female has a long proboscis to pierce the skin and suck the blood of humans and animals
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
not any; not one
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
shantynounUS /ˈʃænti/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
slappedverbUS /slæpt/
inflected form of “slap” — hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
smackverbUS /smæk/
deliver a hard blow to
From this reading "Buzz, buzz--smack, smack!" laughed Bob, as his companions slapped and hit.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading The fire crackled and hissed, sending a fitful glare around, but its smoke seemed to have no effect in driving away the ever-increasing army of mosquitoes.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading A dancing host encircled each swinging lantern, and the old shanty was invaded by a perfect swarm.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The boys, however, did not fall asleep with the readiness that their tired feelings led them to expect.
unpleasantlyadverbUS /ənˈplezəntli/
in an unpleasant manner
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ANOTHER BOAT GONE It was a quiet summer night, not unpleasantly warm, but with no wind stirring.
