used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
AlmightynounUS /ɔːlˈmaɪti/
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
artillerynounUS /ɑːrˈtɪləri/
large but transportable armament
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
blacknessnounUS /ˈblæknəs/
the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
BuffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
foretoldverbUS /fɔːrˈtoʊld/
inflected form of “foretell” — foreshadow or presage
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
abrupt electric discharge from cloud to cloud or from cloud to earth accompanied by the emission of light
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
MaxwellnounUS /ˈmækswel/
a cgs unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux perpendicular to an area of 1 square centimeter in a magnetic field of 1 gauss
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
quiveringnounUS /ˈkwɪvərɪŋ/
a shaky motion
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
storm-wreck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
sultryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌltri/
sexually exciting or gratifying
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading The clouds sweeping over the sky had brought darkness early.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
threateninglyadverbUS /ˈθretənɪŋli/
in a menacing manner
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading For the sake of his horse, Maxwell would have turned back, but it was many hours since he had left the railroad, travelling by the stage route toward the city.
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The heavens looked of one uniform blackness, until the lightning, quivering behind them, showed through the magnificent masses of storm-wreck, while the artillery of the Almighty rolled threateningly in the distance.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The intense electric heat during the day had foretold a storm, and now it was evident that it would be upon him before he could reach shelter.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading One sultry evening in July, about a month later than the opening of our story, a young man was travelling through the woods on the outskirts of the city of Buffalo.
