used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
CarlosnounUS /ˈkɑːrloʊs/
Venezuelan master terrorist raised by a Marxist-Leninist father; trained and worked with many terrorist groups (born in 1949)
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
dreadingverbUS /ˈdredɪŋ/
-ing form of “dread” — be afraid or scared of; be frightened of
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading THE WAY OF ESCAPE.
divisible by two
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
made afraid
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
haresnounUS /herz/
plural of “hare” — swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
hollowsnounUS /ˈhɑːloʊz/
plural of “hollow” — a cavity or space in something
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
Laska
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
a particular point in time
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WAY OF ESCAPE.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
OliveadjectiveUS /ˈɑːləv/
of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
printnounUS /prɪnt/
the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
shiftedverbUS /ˈʃɪftɪd/
past form of “shift” — make a shift in or exchange of
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
with low volume
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
soundlyadverbUS /ˈsaʊndli/
deeply or completely
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
in a swift manner
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAY OF ESCAPE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading IN the darkness Olive kept tight hold of Carlos' hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They ran swiftly and softly, like frightened hares, each moment dreading to hear footsteps behind them.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE WAY OF ESCAPE.
at the time that
From this reading Besides, old Laska slept soundly and she had not stirred when Olive stole out from her tent.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
whirledverbUS /wɜːrld/
past form of “whirl” — turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading But the darkness hid their tracks and a wind was blowing, which shifted the sand and whirled it into hills and hollows, so that not even an Indian could find the print of any passing foot.
