used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
arisenverbUS /ərˈɪzən/
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
axe-handle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The complete lack of spirit evinced by the men irritated Toppy.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The complete lack of spirit evinced by the men irritated Toppy.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
evincedverbUS /ɪˈvɪnst/
past form of “evince” — give expression to
From this reading The complete lack of spirit evinced by the men irritated Toppy.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
the act of departing
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading The complete lack of spirit evinced by the men irritated Toppy.
and nothing more
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading The complete lack of spirit evinced by the men irritated Toppy.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
the force of workers available
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
precedesverbUS /prɪˈsiːdz/
third-person singular of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
plural of “prisoner” — a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
the act of punishing
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
only a very short time before
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
shapelessadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpləs/
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading The complete lack of spirit evinced by the men irritated Toppy.
squatverbUS /skwɑːt/
sit on one's heels
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
stockadenounUS /ˈstɑːkeɪd/
fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
stone-quarry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
Toppy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the darkness their squat, shapeless figures were scarcely human.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Next morning, in the cold stillness which precedes the coming of daylight in the North, Toppy stood leaning on his axe-handle cane and watched his crew of a dozen men file out of the stockade gate and turn toward the stone-quarry.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They walked with the driven air of prisoners going to punishment.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Their heads hung, their steps were listless, as if they had just completed a hard day’s work instead of having arisen from a hearty breakfast.
