used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading UNDER A FALLEN TREE.
alkalinounUS /ˈælkəlaɪ/
any of various water-soluble compounds capable of turning litmus blue and reacting with an acid to form a salt and water
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
Cal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
chaparralnounUS /ˌʃæpərˈæl/
dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
rid of obstructions
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
cougarnounUS /ˈkuːɡər/
large American feline resembling a lion
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
electricitynounUS /ɪˌlekˈtrɪsəti/
a physical phenomenon associated with stationary or moving electrons and protons
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading UNDER A FALLEN TREE.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
hurricanenounUS /ˈhɜːrəkeɪn/
a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
a particular point in time
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
not any; not one
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
ranch-boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading UNDER A FALLEN TREE.
tree-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER A FALLEN TREE.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
precisely as stated
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
at the time that
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Cal had been all day in a chaparral without water, and he knew by experience how very dry an alkali desert could be, whether under a hot sun or a brilliant moon.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading No wonder a poor cougar should be in a hurry to get under safe cover if he had any clear idea that all this was coming.
wondersnounUS /ˈwʌndərz/
plural of “wonder” — the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading He had seen sudden storms before, for he was a ranch-boy, and there are wonders of electricity and rain at times upon the plains.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Up to the moment when the hurricane struck the tree-tops, however, he had never fully understood what could be done by wind and water and thunder and lightning, at their very best working strength, working together.
