used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
AMIDprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
on or to one side
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The pile at this camp was enormous, and had evidently been gathering for years.
bagsnounUS /bæɡz/
plural of “bag” — a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The pile at this camp was enormous, and had evidently been gathering for years.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
CATARACTSnounUS /ˈkætərækts/
plural of “cataract” — an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
depositedverbUS /dəˈpɑːzɪtɪd/
past form of “deposit” — put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
downpournounUS /ˈdaʊnpɔːr/
a heavy rain
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
driftwoodnounUS /ˈdrɪftwʊd/
wood that is floating or that has been washed ashore
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading The pile at this camp was enormous, and had evidently been gathering for years.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The pile at this camp was enormous, and had evidently been gathering for years.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
firesnounUS /ˈfaɪərz/
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
set up or found
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading The pile at this camp was enormous, and had evidently been gathering for years.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
held up in the air
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
locationnounUS /loʊˈkeɪʃən/
a point or extent in space
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
low-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
pumpkinnounUS /ˈpʌmpkɪn/
a coarse vine widely cultivated for its large pulpy round orange fruit with firm orange skin and numerous seeds; subspecies of Cucurbita pepo include the summer squashes and a few autumn squashes
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
the state of being asleep
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
a source of difficulty
From this reading We had little trouble in this section to find sufficient driftwood for fires.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
precisely as stated
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some of it, we could be sure, was recent, for a large pumpkin was found deposited in the drift pile twenty-five feet above the low-water stage on which we were travelling.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The stream was easily turned aside, while a door and numerous boards found in the drift pile, made a very good floor for the tent and lifted our sleeping bags off the wet sand.
accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment
From this reading A PATIENT AMID THE CATARACTS An hour or so after making our camp, we began to doubt the wisdom of our choice of a location, for a downpour of rain threatened to send a stream of water under the tent.
a late time of life
From this reading The pile at this camp was enormous, and had evidently been gathering for years.
