used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
attestverbUS /əˈtest/
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
balloonnounUS /bəˈluːn/
large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
past form of “betray” — reveal unintentionally
From this reading No smoke even had betrayed the presence of man on the surface of the island.
BulletnounUS /ˈbʊlət/
a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
ConstructionnounUS /kənˈstrʌkʃən/
the act of constructing something
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
CyrusnounUS /ˈsaɪrəs/
Persian prince who was defeated in battle by his brother Artaxerxes II (424-401 BC)
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
disappearsverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrz/
third-person singular of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
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 No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
one or the other of two
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
divisible by two
From this reading No smoke even had betrayed the presence of man on the surface of the island.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
handiworknounUS /ˈhændiwɜːrk/
a work produced by hand labor
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
Harding'snounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋs/
possessive form of “harding” — 29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
Herbert'snounUS /ˈhɜːrbərts/
possessive form of “herbert” — United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
Kaurinoun
resin of the kauri trees of New Zealand; found usually as a fossil; also collected for making varnishes and linoleum
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
LincolnnounUS /ˈlɪŋkən/
16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
Nebnoun
a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
not any; not one
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
an amount of time
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
researchesnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “research” — systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading No smoke even had betrayed the presence of man on the surface of the island.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading No smoke even had betrayed the presence of man on the surface of the island.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
in or at that place or location
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading During that time, notwithstanding the researches they had made, no human being had been discovered.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
TurtlenounUS /ˈtɜːrtəl/
a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar
From this reading Conversation on the Subject of the Bullet -- Construction of a Canoe -- Hunting -- At the Top of a Kauri -- Nothing to attest the Presence of Man -- Neb and Herbert's Prize -- Turning a Turtle -- The Turtle disappears -- Cyrus Harding's Explanation.
vestigesnounUS /ˈvestɪdʒɪz/
plural of “vestige” — an indication that something has been present
From this reading No vestiges of his handiwork showed that either at an early or at a late period had man lived there.
voyagersnounUS /ˈvɔɪɪdʒərz/
plural of “voyager” — a traveler to a distant land (especially one who travels by sea)
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was now exactly seven months since the balloon voyagers had been thrown on Lincoln Island.
