used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
have
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
blanket-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
Boreland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
continue a certain state, condition, or activity
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
coyote-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
crescentnounUS /ˈkresənt/
any shape resembling the curved shape of the moon in its first or last quarters
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
duskinessnoun
the state of being poorly illuminated
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
a social unit living together
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
set up or found
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
in a gradual manner
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
ten 10s
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
KayaknounUS /ˈkaɪæk/
a small canoe consisting of a light frame made watertight with animal skins; used by Eskimos
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
linedadjectiveUS /laɪnd/
bordered by a line of things
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
luminousadjectiveUS /ˈluːmənəs/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
mergedadjectiveUS /mɜːrdʒd/
formed or united into a whole
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
POTLATCHnounUS /ˈpɑːtlætʃ/
a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
Potlatch-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
a strong line
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
shrillyadverb
in a shrill voice
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
slopedadjective
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
stakenounUS /steɪk/
(law) a right or legal share of something; a financial involvement with something
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
Thunder-bird
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
totemsnounUS /ˈtoʊtəmz/
plural of “totem” — a clan or tribe identified by their kinship to a common totemic object
From this reading The totems of the Thunder-bird and the Bear stood out high against the sky.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
tuggedverbUS /tʌɡd/
inflected form of “tug” — pull hard
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
two-thirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading In the gloom a hundred blanket-covered canoes lined the crescent beach that sloped gently upward to a strip of gravel before the row of Indian houses.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading THE POTLATCH DANCE Evening found the Boreland family, attended by Kayak Bill, taking the beach trail to the Village.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was well past nine o'clock and the twilight had merged into the soft, luminous duskiness that would continue until the sun came up at two-thirty in the morning.
yelpedverbUS /jelpd/
past form of “yelp” — bark in a high-pitched tone
From this reading Before the Potlatch-house an Indian dog, small, coyote-like, yelped shrilly as he tugged at the rope which fastened him to a stake.
