used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
(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 woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
(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 Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
covertnounUS /ˈkoʊvərt/
a flock of coots
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
crackingnounUS /ˈkrækɪŋ/
a sudden sharp noise
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
crashingadjectiveUS /ˈkræʃɪŋ/
informal intensifiers
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
Freda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
Hullonoun
an expression of greeting
From this reading Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
immediately past
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
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 The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
long-drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
on one occasion
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
and nothing more
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
having a supporting base
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
not in physical motion
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
moving very fast
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
they're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The second bird fell close to them, crashing through branches to a soft bed of leaves.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
trampledverbUS /ˈtræmpəld/
past form of “trample” — tread or stomp heavily or roughly
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
twigsnounUS /twɪɡz/
plural of “twig” — a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hullo, they're starting, we'd better stop talking."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
whirnoun
sound of something in rapid motion
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The gun, behind whom Martin and Freda were standing, had only one chance and took it--a beautiful right and left.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading Far away at the back of the covert arose the noise of cracking twigs and trampled leaves: closer and closer it came until the sounds were distinguishable, now the tapping of a stick on a tree, the beating of a bush, the long-drawn cries of "Mark" and "Forward," the swift whir of wings, and at last the sharp crack of guns.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The woods, once awful with still silence, were all sound and movement.
