used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
(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 His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
Allan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
cindered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
cockverbUS /kɑːk/
tilt or slant to one side
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
the first light of day
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
an opposing military force
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
highest in quality
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
hailingverbUS /ˈheɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “hail” — praise vociferously
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
immediately past
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
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 AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
engage in
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
noddingadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
on one occasion
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
a course of conduct
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
shantynounUS /ˈʃænti/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
be seated
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
sleepinessnounUS /ˈsliːpinəs/
a very sleepy state
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
not in physical motion
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The cool air of the night blew sleepiness from his eyes, at last, and he stood for a long time gazing out over the silent fields.
tingenounUS /tɪndʒ/
a slight but appreciable amount
From this reading Away in the distance a cock crew; others answered it, hailing the dawn; for the eastern sky began to show a tinge of gray.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
trampedverbUS /træmpt/
past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN OLD ENEMY Every night must end, although that one, as it seemed to Allan, was at least forty hours long.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading More than once he caught himself nodding, until, at last, he dared not sit still in his chair, but went out upon the stretch of cindered path before the shanty and tramped up and down it, pausing now and then at the door to make sure his instrument was not calling him.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading His greatest difficulty was to keep awake, for he had been working all day before he came on duty.
