used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
afootadverbUS /əˈfʊt/
on foot; walking
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
subject to appointment
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
astiradjective
out of bed
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
blazenounUS /bleɪz/
a strong flame that burns brightly
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Breakfast was soon cooked and their camp put to rights.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Breakfast was soon cooked and their camp put to rights.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
chillnounUS /tʃɪl/
coldness due to a cold environment
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading Breakfast was soon cooked and their camp put to rights.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
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 Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
easternadjectiveUS /ˈiːstərn/
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
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 Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
meeting-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
patrolsnounUS /pəˈtroʊlz/
plural of “patrol” — a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Breakfast was soon cooked and their camp put to rights.
rangernounUS /ˈreɪndʒər/
a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading Breakfast was soon cooked and their camp put to rights.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
skiesnounUS /skaɪz/
plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
in the near future
From this reading Breakfast was soon cooked and their camp put to rights.
not in physical motion
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
streaksnounUS /striːks/
plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
tingedverbUS /tɪŋd/
past form of “tinge” — affect as in thought or feeling
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Charley wanted to be as prompt as his ranger, and so the two boys were astir by the time the first streaks of light tinged the eastern skies.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading It was still dark enough to risk a little blaze in their fireplace and the warmth was grateful, for the early morning air was chill enough.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Although the ranger had much farther to travel than they did, the boys knew from experience that he was afoot early during the fire season, and they felt certain he would be at the meeting-place before the appointed hour.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The Trail in the Forest The following day the two young patrols were to report to their ranger at the appointed place in the forest.
