used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
aslantadverb
over or across in a slanting direction
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
betwixtprepositionUS /biˈtwɪkst/
an old word for “between”
From this reading The farther they zigzagged betwixt the thorns, the more doubtful grew the way.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
congealmentnoun
the process of congealing; solidification by (or as if by) freezing
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
cudgelsnounUS /ˈkʌdʒəlz/
plural of “cudgel” — a club that is used as a weapon
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading The farther they zigzagged betwixt the thorns, the more doubtful grew the way.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The farther they zigzagged betwixt the thorns, the more doubtful grew the way.
fieryadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪəri/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The farther they zigzagged betwixt the thorns, the more doubtful grew the way.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
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 Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
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 With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
the force of workers available
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
the light of the Moon
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
Mōōt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
paledverbUS /peɪld/
past form of “pale” — turn pale, as if in fear
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
pedlars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
PolenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
Salemnāgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
spyingnounUS /ˈspaɪɪŋ/
keeping a secret or furtive watch
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Behind them, paled by the moonlight, shook the fiery silver of the Salemnāgar.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/
plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
thornsnounUS /θɔːrnz/
plural of “thorn” — something that causes irritation and annoyance
From this reading The farther they zigzagged betwixt the thorns, the more doubtful grew the way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
look attentively
From this reading The travellers marched slowly, keeping sharp watch, their cudgels ready in their hands.
watch-fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Here they walked more closely together, with heads aslant and tails in air, like little old men, like pedlars, blinking and spying, wishing beyond measure they were sitting in comfort around their watch-fire.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With this at their backs and that North Pole, Mōōt, in huge congealment, a little to their left, they made their way at an angle across the open snow, and approached the tangled thickets.
zigzaggedverbUS /ˈzɪɡzæɡd/
inflected form of “zigzag” — travel along a zigzag path
From this reading The farther they zigzagged betwixt the thorns, the more doubtful grew the way.
