used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
(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 Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
arcnounUS /ɑːrk/
electrical conduction through a gas in an applied electric field
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
cutsnounUS /kʌts/
plural of “cut” — a share of the profits
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
footmarks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
footprintsnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnts/
plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
guidedadjectiveUS /ˈɡaɪdəd/
subject to guidance or control especially after launching
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
HansnounUS /hɑːns/
plural of “han” — imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
indicatingverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
English businessman who created a retail chain (1888-1964)
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
the force of workers available
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
and nothing more
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
perceptionnounUS /pərˈsepʃən/
the representation of what is perceived; basic component in the formation of a concept
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
having a point
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
quicknessnounUS /ˈkwɪknəs/
skillful performance or ability without difficulty
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
cut with a saw
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
scrapesnounUS /skreɪps/
plural of “scrape” — a harsh noise made by scraping
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
semi-wildadjective
partially wild
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
spoornounUS /spʊr/
the trail left by a person or an animal; what the hunter follows in pursuing game
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading One of the Zulus then lay down on the sand, and dragged himself along by his hands only, thus indicating that the creature must progress much in that manner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
tracedverbUS /treɪst/
past form of “trace” — follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Zulus, however, with a quickness of perception often possessed by semi-wild men, pointed out to Hans that there were only marks of two feet, then that the circular scrapes were marked over these footmarks.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
in or at the place that
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Several footprints of a large animal were to be seen, and near these some circular cuts in the sand, as though an arc of a circle had been traced with an instrument.
but in spite of that
From this reading Though well acquainted with the spoor of all South African animals, yet Hans could not remember any similar to this.
ZulusnounUS /ˈzuːluːz/
plural of “zulu” — a member of the tall Negroid people of eastern South Africa; some live in KwaZulu-Natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities
From this reading Hans, guided by the Zulus, went to the shore where the footprints were visible, and there saw a spoor which to him was quite new.
