used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
crushingadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌʃɪŋ/
physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
delugenounUS /ˈdeljuːdʒ/
an overwhelming number or amount
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
giantsnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənts/
plural of “giant” — any creature of exceptional size
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The sky was leaden, and held out no promise of relenting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
hissedverbUS /hɪst/
past form of “hiss” — make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
immediately past
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
leadenadjectiveUS /ˈledən/
darkened with overcast
From this reading The sky was leaden, and held out no promise of relenting.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
not any; not one
From this reading The sky was leaden, and held out no promise of relenting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was nearly midday, and as yet he had not broken his fast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The sky was leaden, and held out no promise of relenting.
the possibility of future success
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
RAINSnounUS /reɪnz/
plural of “rain” — water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
relentingverbUS /rɪˈlentɪŋ/
-ing form of “relent” — give in, as to influence or pressure
From this reading The sky was leaden, and held out no promise of relenting.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The sky was leaden, and held out no promise of relenting.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
possessing sweep
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
Truscott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading THE SUMMER RAINS Truscott looked up from his paper and watched the rain as it hissed against the window.
woodlandsnounUS /ˈwʊdlændz/
plural of “woodland” — land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading It was falling in a deluge, driven by a gale of wind which swept the woodlands as though bent on crushing out the last dignity of the proud forest giants.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was a dreary prospect, yet to the man watching it was a matter of small moment.
