used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
(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 The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
ampleadjectiveUS /ˈæmpəl/
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
cozyadjectiveUS /ˈkoʊzi/
enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter especially in a small space
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
dispiritingadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/
destructive of morale and self-reliance
From this reading The dispiriting fall storms had set in.
dripverbUS /drɪp/
fall in drops
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
drizzlenounUS /ˈdrɪzəl/
very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading The dispiriting fall storms had set in.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
start firing a weapon
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
fireplacenounUS /ˈfaɪərpleɪs/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
forewarnedverbUS /fɔːrˈwɔːrnd/
past form of “forewarn” — warn in advance or beforehand; give an early warning
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
depressingly dark
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The dispiriting fall storms had set in.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
invitingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvaɪtɪŋ/
attractive and tempting
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
lardernounUS /ˈlɑːrdər/
a supply of food especially for a household
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
plural of “limb” — one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
persecutionnounUS /ˌpɜːrsəˈkjuːʃən/
the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
provisionsnounUS /prəˈvɪʒənz/
a stock or supply of foods
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
rheumatiz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The dispiriting fall storms had set in.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/
plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning
From this reading The dispiriting fall storms had set in.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
technounUS /tek/
a school teaching mechanical and industrial arts and the applied sciences
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
unerringadjective
not liable to error
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BY THE CABIN FIRE It was a cheerless night.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Uncle Dave, forewarned, not by a “tech of rheumatiz,” for his sturdy limbs had never felt that persecution, but by his unerring weather instinct, was prepared for the gloomy spell.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The clouds, which had smothered the tops of the mountains all day, began about dusk to drip and drizzle a chilly rain.
woodshednounUS /ˈwʊdʃed/
a shed for storing firewood or garden tools
From this reading An ample supply of meat and other provisions was in his larder; the woodshed was full; so he could rest by his inviting fireplace, as now he did, in cozy content.
