used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
billowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
chimney-corner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
CovenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
crisisnounUS /ˈkraɪsəs/
an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
cronenounUS /kroʊn/
an ugly evil-looking old woman
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
crosswiseadjectiveUS /ˈkrɔːswaɪz/
lying or extending across the length of a thing or in a cross direction
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
only a very short time before
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
a social unit living together
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
intimatedverbUS /ˈɪntəmeɪtɪd/
past form of “intimate” — give to understand
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
knittingnounUS /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It was late.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
LonesomeadjectiveUS /ˈloʊnsəm/
being the only one; single and isolated from others
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
memorableadjectiveUS /ˈmemərəbəl/
worth remembering
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
momentousadjectiveUS /moʊˈmentəs/
of very great significance
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
not any; not one
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The old crone in the chimney-corner nodded over her knitting.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
quiltsnounUS /kwɪlts/
plural of “quilt” — bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
rangernounUS /ˈreɪndʒər/
a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
reckonedverbUS /ˈrekənd/
past form of “reckon” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
the state of being asleep
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
transverseadjectiveUS /trænzˈvɜːrs/
extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
trundle-bed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One memorable night in Lonesome Cove the ranger of the county entered upon a momentous crisis in his life.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
at the time that
From this reading What hour it was he could hardly have said, for the primitive household reckoned time by the sun when it shone, by the domestic routine when no better might be.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the trundle-bed at the farther end of the shadowy room were transverse billows under the quilts, which intimated that the small children were numerous enough for the necessity of sleeping crosswise.
