used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
the state of being absent
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
AustraliannounUS /ɔːˈstreɪljən/
a native or inhabitant of Australia
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
beetlenounUS /ˈbiːtəl/
insect having biting mouthparts and front wings modified to form horny covers overlying the membranous rear wings
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
blacksnounUS /blæks/
plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
boongary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/
An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
eatersnounUS /ˈiːtərz/
plural of “eater” — someone who consumes food for nourishment
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
the act of consuming food
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
keepernounUS /ˈkiːpər/
someone in charge of other people
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
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 A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
month'snounUS /mʌnθs/
possessive form of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
on one occasion
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
repeatedlyadverbUS /rɪˈpiːtɪdli/
several time
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading I experienced great satisfaction in being able to sleep comfortably and safely once more.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He said he had repeatedly been on the point of sending some blacks to look for me, as he feared I might have been attacked by the natives.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
unusuallyadverbUS /əˈnjuːʒuːəli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading On our return to Herbert Vale after a month’s absence the old keeper gave me an unusually friendly reception.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
ValenounUS /veɪl/
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The next day two natives came down from the mountains and reported that the blacks with two dogs “were killing and eating a lot of boongary up there.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
Yokkai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A wedding—Love among the Australian natives—My first meeting with Yokkai—Big eaters—An accident—Left alone with Yokkai—A difficult descent—Return to Herbert Vale—A new beetle—Friends of the animals.
