Chapter XXIV · Chapter 24

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

plural of “announcement” — a formal public statement

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

plural of “competition” — a business relation in which two parties compete to gain customers

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

an open river valley (in a hilly area)

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

start firing a weapon

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

brought together in one place

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

highly enthusiastic

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

not formal

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

possessive form of “leader” — a person who rules or guides or inspires others

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

and nothing more

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

not any; not one

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

by chance

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

not often

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

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 There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

plural of “stunt” — a difficult or unusual or dangerous feat; usually done to gain attention

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Drawn together, perhaps, by the events of the afternoon and by the interesting secret they held in common, the members of Tent Three were gathered in a group on one side of the circle.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But Dale Tompkins had rarely been more perfectly content.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A SURPRISE FOR VEDDER It was a distinctly informal council-fire.

look attentively

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.

in or at the place that

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether by accident or design, Dale sat close to Ranny and a little behind him, where he could watch the play of light and shadow on the leader's handsome face.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading There were no special stunts or games or competitions, as there would be later; merely songs, a few announcements, and finally, as the fire died down to glowing embers, a story or two.