used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
a quantity of money
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
Ann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
dearly loved
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
remove the dust from
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
opinion or judgment
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
start firing a weapon
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
set up or found
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
in motion
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
not any; not one
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
plum-pudding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
pokernounUS /ˈpoʊkər/
fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
powderyadjectiveUS /ˈpaʊdəri/
consisting of fine particles
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
in the near future
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He found it presently and stirred the embers into quite a cheerful blaze.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
rubbedverbUS /rʌbd/
inflected form of “rub” — move over something with pressure
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
Rudolf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
somebody'snounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdiz/
possessive form of “somebody” — a human being
From this reading From the amount of furniture they knocked against in moving about they knew they must be in somebody's house.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Rudolf said nothing, for he was groping about after the poker.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN THE HOLLOW TREE At first it seemed perfectly dark inside the tree, but after the children had rubbed out of their eyes the soft powdery dust which their fall had stirred up, they made out the dull glow of a dying fire, a real one in a real fireplace this time, and no plum-pudding affair.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading "Oh, dear," whispered Ann, "I hope the owner is not at home!"
