used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
ashesnounUS /ˈæʃ.ɪz/
The powdery residue left after the burning of a substance.
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
Boyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
chainsnounUS /tʃeɪnz/
metal shackles; for hands or legs
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
charredverbUS /tʃɑːrd/
inflected form of “char” — burn to charcoal
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
Chiefest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
civiliannounUS /səˈvɪljən/
a nonmilitary citizen
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
determineverbUS /dəˈtɜːrmən/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
DouglassnounUS /ˈdʌɡləs/
United States abolitionist who escaped from slavery and became an influential writer and lecturer in the North (1817-1895)
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
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 At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
divisible by two
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
interpretationnounUS /ˌɪntɜːrprɪˈteɪʃən/
a mental representation of the meaning or significance of something
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
not any; not one
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
odornounUS /ˈoʊdər/
any property detected by the olfactory system
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
perpetrationnoun
the act of committing a crime
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
pungentadjectiveUS /ˈpʌndʒənt/
strong and sharp
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
any object that is left unused or still extant
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
scoutnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
scout'snounUS /skaʊts/
possessive form of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
sickeningadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkənɪŋ/
causing or able to cause nausea
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
SLAVE-CATCHERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
smouldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
not in physical motion
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Although there was no sign of human life, there was ample evidence that human beings, engaged in the perpetration of an awful tragedy, had occupied the place but a few hours before.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading FATE OF THE SLAVE-CATCHERS For some time, Boyd, Douglass, and the scout had been aware of an odor, pungent and sickening; but neither of the two former had been able to determine its character.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now, as they gazed into an opening in the pine forest, beside a small pond, its hideous cause was instantly apparent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At the foot of each tree a heap of ashes, and a few embers that still smouldered, told their story in language so plain that even the civilian and the soldier had no need of the scout's interpretation to enable them to comprehend instantly what had taken place.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Chiefest of this evidence were the charred remains of two human bodies, fastened and supported by chains to the blackened trunks of two young pine trees.
