used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
Alex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
(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 It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
in a state of sleep
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
breedsnounUS /briːdz/
plural of “breed” — a special variety of domesticated animals within a species
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
an occurrence of something
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
champing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
ClaynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
recognizable; marked
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
enclose with a fence
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
fendingverbUS /ˈfendɪŋ/
-ing form of “fend” — try to manage without help
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
gangsnounUS /ɡæŋz/
plural of “gang” — an association of criminals
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
ten 10s
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
Jule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
misconstruedverbUS /ˌmɪskənˈstruːd/
past form of “misconstrue” — interpret in the wrong way
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
outlawsnounUS /ˈaʊtlɔːz/
plural of “outlaw” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
in a serious manner
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
shabby-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
stampingverbUS /ˈstæmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
confined on all sides
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
tournounUS /tʊr/
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
uncared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
undergrowthnounUS /ˈʌndərɡroʊθ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading At first he thought seriously of visiting the undergrowth on a tour of investigation, but finally decided that his actions might be misconstrued, so he passed on toward the house in the tobacco field.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
weed-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
weedsnounUS /wiːdz/
a black garment (dress) worn by a widow as a sign of mourning
From this reading It seemed to him that half a hundred dogs of all sizes and breeds leaped out as he advanced through the weeds toward the front door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
at the time that
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
in the company of; together with
From this reading While Alex was having his troubles with the two gangs of outlaws, and while Jule and Case were asleep in a thicket at the cove, Clay was pushing his way through a heavy undergrowth in the direction of a shabby-looking farm house which stood in the center of a weed-grown tobacco field not far away.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading He was having his hands full with the dogs, fending them off, when the door opened and a woman made her appearance on the threshold.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading As he approached the uncared for fence which surrounded the field, he heard horses stamping and champing at their bits in the woods not far away to his left.
