used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
(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 had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
bankedverbUS /bæŋkt/
past form of “bank” — tip laterally
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
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 It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
comparative of “deeply” — to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
drearilyadverb
in a cheerless manner
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
apart from; not including
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
hilltopsnounUS /ˈhɪltɑːps/
plural of “hilltop” — the peak of a hill
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
mockerynounUS /ˈmɑːkəri/
showing your contempt by derision
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
NORTHERNadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
other's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
overwhelmingadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈwelmɪŋ/
so strong as to be irresistible
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
SEASnounUS /siːz/
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
snow-crowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
the season of growth
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE NORTHERN SEAS The mists hung drearily on snow-crowned, distant hilltops.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
threatnounUS /θret/
something that is a source of danger
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
up to a particular time
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The deadly gray of the sky suggested laden clouds bearing every threat known to the elements.
travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
treadingverbUS /ˈtredɪŋ/
-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the mockery of an early spring day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were traveling fast, treading each other's heels, and overwhelming each other till the gloom banked deeper and deeper.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading It had all the appearance of the worst depths of winter, except that the intense cold had given place to a fierce wind of higher temperature.
