used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
completely unclothed
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
blacksmith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
a youthful male person
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
a young person of either sex
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
comfortingadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtɪŋ/
providing freedom from worry
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
dependingverbUS /dɪˈpendɪŋ/
-ing form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
opinion or judgment
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
flappedverbUS /flæpt/
inflected form of “flap” — move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
gapsnounUS /ɡæps/
plural of “gap” — a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
invadeverbUS /ˌɪnˈveɪd/
march aggressively into another's territory by military force for the purposes of conquest and occupation
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
lattice-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
lickingnounUS /ˈlɪkɪŋ/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
litternounUS /ˈlɪtər/
the offspring at one birth of a multiparous mammal
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
not any; not one
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
nondescriptadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːndɪˈskrɪpt/
lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
pawsnounUS /pɔːz/
plural of “paw” — a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
philosophicadjectiveUS /ˌfɪləˈsɑːfɪk/
of or relating to philosophy or philosophers
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
any competition
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
except for; apart from
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
the state of being asleep
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
stirringsnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋz/
plural of “stirring” — agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
a special situation
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
travelledadjectiveUS /ˈtrævəld/
familiar with many parts of the world
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
unaccustomedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkʌstəmd/
unusual or unfamiliar
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the small bare room there was no living thing save a cat of nondescript colour sitting on a box and licking its paws.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In one corner were the two baskets and the litter of blacksmith's tools which had travelled so far.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading No comforting father's voice, however, answered its first stirrings and cries; so after a while the philosophic instinct of the race asserted itself and the boy lay quiet, his astonished eyes taking in everything around him.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The broken paper depending from the lattice-work of the windows, however, flapped to and fro cheerfully and briskly; and the rising sun which was peeping through the gaps in the paper seemed ready to invade the whole room.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading In the morning the unaccustomed roar and noise of the city gate woke up the sleeping child.
