used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
without doubt or question
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
dearly loved
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
opinion or judgment
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
for a limitless time
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
fringenounUS /frɪndʒ/
the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
frontedverbUS /ˈfrʌntɪd/
past form of “front” — be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
hand-riven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
hewnadjectiveUS /hjuːn/
cut or shaped with hard blows of a heavy cutting instrument like an ax or chisel
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
lean-tonoun
rough shelter whose roof has only one slope
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
oaknounUS /oʊk/
the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
planksnounUS /plæŋks/
plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
prairie-land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
shadingnounUS /ˈʃeɪdɪŋ/
graded markings that indicate light or shaded areas in a drawing or painting
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
skirtingadjectiveUS /ˈskɜːrtɪŋ/
being all around the edges; enclosing
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
story-and-a-half
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The small story-and-a-half cabin of hewn logs, with its lean-to of rough hand-riven planks, fronted to the southward; and the northern expanse of roof was green with moss.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
upliftedadjectiveUS /ˈʌplɪftɪd/
exalted emotionally especially with pride
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
the topmost one of two
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
at the time that
From this reading I had to brush the gathering tears from my eyes before I could see clearly; and when I finally rode away, the picture of that dear old home was fixed in my memory forever.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
a Caucasian
From this reading My father sat in the open doorway, his uplifted hand shading his eyes as he gazed after us; while my mother stood by his side, one arm resting upon the back of his chair, the other extended, waving a white cloth in farewell.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our house stood near the centre of an oak opening,--a little patch of native prairie-land, with a narrow stream skirting it on one side, and a dense fringe of forest all about.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A NEW ACQUAINTANCE I drew rein upon the upper river bank, before we finally plunged into the dark woods beyond, and glanced back.
