used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
adviseverbUS /ædˈvaɪz/
give advice to
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
confined by bonds
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
an occurrence of something
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
cordelling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
a flow of electricity through a conductor
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
earnverbUS /ɜːrn/
earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
fundsnounUS /fʌndz/
assets in the form of money
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
headwindnounUS /ˈhedwɪnd/
wind blowing opposite to the path of a ship or aircraft
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
laborsnounUS /ˈleɪbərz/
plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
lacksnounUS /læks/
plural of “lack” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
engage in
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
absolutely essential
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
pocketfulnounUS /ˈpɑːkətfʊl/
the quantity a pocket will hold
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
polingverbUS /ˈpoʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “pole” — propel with a pole
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
sailsnounUS /seɪlz/
plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
up-river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AGAINST THE CURRENT Had I been in funds, I should have preferred a horse for the up-river trip.
precisely as stated
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
wagesnounUS /ˈweɪdʒəz/
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
at the time that
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
which person or people
From this reading It is not, however, a proceeding I should advise to be undertaken by one who lacks the strength and experience necessary for poling and cordelling.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading At times, to be sure, we were able to relieve our labors by an occasional resort to the sails, when the wind chanced to be fair.
windings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in the very nature of the case, this aid could never be more than temporary, since the windings of the river were bound, sooner or later, to make a headwind of what had been a fair breeze.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it was, I was glad of the opportunity to make the passage by boat with my friend the captain, and in so doing, to earn a pocketful of wages.
