used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
assistantsnounUS /əˈsɪstənts/
plural of “assistant” — a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
for the reason that
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
betokened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
the two together, not just one
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
brassnounUS /bræs/
an alloy of copper and zinc
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
the act of breaking something
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
bridge-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
checkeredadjectiveUS /ˈtʃekərd/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
cheerilyadverb
in a cheerful manner
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
ColumbianounUS /kəˈlʌmbiə/
a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
commodiousadjectiveUS /kəˈmoʊdiəs/
large and roomy (“convenient” is archaic in this sense)
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
cotnounUS /kɑːt/
a sheath worn to protect a finger
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
double-skinned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
enviedverbUS /ˈenvid/
inflected form of “envy” — feel envious towards; admire enviously
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
fursnounUS /fɜːrz/
plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
JAMverbUS /dʒæm/
press tightly together or cram
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
the light of the Moon
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
nickeled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
pitchedadjectiveUS /pɪtʃt/
(of sound) set to a certain pitch or key; usually used as a combining form
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
polenounUS /poʊl/
a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
prosperitynounUS /prɑːˈsperəti/
an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
replaceverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪs/
substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
Savine's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
shantynounUS /ˈʃænti/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
in or at that place or location
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
Thurston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
tickedverbUS /tɪkt/
past form of “tick” — make a clicking or ticking sound
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
tracingnounUS /ˈtreɪsɪŋ/
the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading A few good furs checkered the spruce twigs which served as a carpet, and the canvas dwelling was both commodious and comfortable.
unrolledverbUS /ˌʌnˈroʊld/
past form of “unroll” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading Geoffrey was studying a bridge-work tracing that lay unrolled upon his knees.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One of Savine's junior assistants, sent up there in an emergency to replace an older man, sat close by, and, because he dwelt in a bark shanty, envied Thurston his tent.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
well-madeadjective
skillfully constructed
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
at the time that
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BREAKING OF THE JAM It was late one moonlight night when Geoffrey Thurston sat inside his double-skinned tent which was pitched above a river of British Columbia.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A bright brass lamp hung from the ridge pole, a nickeled clock ticked cheerily upon a hanging shelf behind the neat camp cot, while the rest of the well-made furniture betokened a degree of prosperity.
