used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
Alagwa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
anticipationnounUS /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/
an expectation
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
bar-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
for the reason that
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
Bondie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
Cato
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
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 Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
provide as food
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
hitchverbUS /hɪtʃ/
to hook or entangle
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
Maison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
mistsnounUS /mɪsts/
plural of “mist” — a thin fog with condensation near the ground
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
mulesnounUS /mjuːlz/
plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
preparatoryadjectiveUS /prɪˈperətɔːri/
preceding and preparing for something
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
uttered with a trill
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
scatteringnounUS /ˈskætərɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Jack and his party were astir as early as the rest--Jack and Cato because it was impossible to sleep later on the crowded floor, and Alagwa because of her keen anticipation of the coming day.
sleepersnounUS /ˈsliːpərz/
plural of “sleeper” — a rester who is sleeping
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Half an hour later they returned to the bar room to devour the hasty yet heavy meal spread for them.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
toiletsnounUS /ˈtɔɪləts/
plural of “toilet” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
Vincennes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/
plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LONG before sunrise the “Maison Bondie” was awake and stirring.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Early hours were the rule for travellers in those days on the frontier.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
but in spite of that
From this reading While yet the earth was shrouded in shadow and the mists were drifting along the broad ribbon of the river, the sleepers on the bar-room floor were rolling up their blankets and making their hasty toilets before scattering to feed the mules and hitch them to the wagons preparatory for a start to Vincennes and the south.
