used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
the state of being absent
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
bean-can
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
cause to be bored
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
corrugatedadjectiveUS /ˈkɔːrəɡeɪtɪd/
shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
CREEKnounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
CRIPPLEverbUS /ˈkrɪpəl/
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
CRUSOE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
Crusoe's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
diligencenounUS /ˈdɪlədʒəns/
conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
disadvantagenounUS /ˌdɪsədˈvæntɪdʒ/
the quality of having an inferior or less favorable position
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
ElknounUS /elk/
large northern deer with enormous flattened antlers in the male; called “elk” in Europe and “moose” in North America
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
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 A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
start firing a weapon
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
fordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
GapnounUS /ɡæp/
a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
hearth-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
quaking-asps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
smoldered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
soapnounUS /soʊp/
a cleansing agent made from the salts of vegetable or animal fats
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading His washing completed, Mr. Crusoe turned his attention to his personal appearance.
two-tined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading CRUSOE OF CRIPPLE CREEK Mr. Crusoe was washing an extra shirt in the ford between Elk Creek Valley and the Gap.
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 The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A short distance away among the quaking-asps smoldered the embers of a small fire; a blackened and empty bean-can on the hearth-stone, together with a two-tined fork, bore evidence of a recent breakfast.
wondersnounUS /ˈwʌndərz/
plural of “wonder” — the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The absence of soap was a distinct disadvantage, but water, a corrugated stone, and Mr. Crusoe's diligence were working wonders.
