used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
eagerly desirous
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
bergnounUS /bɜːrɡ/
a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
bird-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
blubberverbUS /ˈblʌbər/
cry or whine with snuffling
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
Carlo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
commonsnounUS /ˈkɑːmənz/
a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
coverletnoun
a decorative bedspread (usually quilted)
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
especialadjectiveUS /əˈspeʃəl/
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ESQUIMAUX
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
GROUNDSnounUS /ɡraʊndz/
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
hindnounUS /haɪnd/
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
hummocknoun
a small natural hill
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
ten 10s
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
LEGENDnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
luxuriating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
engage in
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
one of four equal parts
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
on the contrary
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
reducedadjectiveUS /rəˈduːst/
made less in size or amount or degree
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
SEALINGnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the act of treating something to make it repel water
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
get by special effort
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
the act of using
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ussuk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
WaringverbUS /ˈwerɪŋ/
-ing form of “ware” — spend extravagantly
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
in or at the place that
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
which person or people
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
the day immediately before today
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
