used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
aroused or activated
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
boisterousadjectiveUS /ˈbɔɪstərəs/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
a youthful male person
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
envelopedverbUS /enˈveləpt/
past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
the organ of sight
From this reading The Manitou Eye.
opinion or judgment
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
only a very short time before
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
hubbubnounUS /ˈhʌbəb/
loud confused noise from many sources
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
inarticulateadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɑːrˈtɪkjələt/
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
indistinctadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈstɪŋkt/
not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
innumerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnuːmərəbəl/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
intermixedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈmɪkst/
past form of “intermix” — combine into one
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
the sound of laughing
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
Manitou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Manitou Eye.
minglingnounUS /ˈmɪŋɡəlɪŋ/
the action of people mingling and coming into contact
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
become covered with mist
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
and nothing more
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
pierceverbUS /pɪrs/
cut or make a way through
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
Sprigg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
move an implement through
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
strainedadjectiveUS /streɪnd/
lacking natural ease
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Manitou Eye.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
at the time that
From this reading The song had hardly begun when Sprigg could hear a huge stir in the cave, as if the call had awakened a multitude of living things from the slumber of the night.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On hearing the commotion around him, the boy had risen to his feet, and now, with strained eyes, was vainly striving to pierce the red mist in which he was enveloped.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was an infinite mingling of confused, indistinct sounds, like the inarticulate murmurs rising from innumerable voices--talking, singing and shouting, intermixed with laughter and with the cries of beasts and birds.
but in spite of that
From this reading The hubbub was neither boisterous nor loud, yet it seemed to come, not only from near at hand, but from far and wide.
