used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
Acadians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "Your remark sounds almost like a bull."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
Amy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
put or pin the blame on
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading "Your remark sounds almost like a bull."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
deem to be
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
deportationnounUS /ˌdiːpɔːrˈteɪʃən/
the act of expelling a person from their native land
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
at any time
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
with resolute determination
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
influencedverbUS /ˈɪnfluːənst/
past form of “influence” — have and exert influence or effect
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
and nothing more
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
the sound of laughing
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Your remark sounds almost like a bull."
Loutre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
Martine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
oathnounUS /oʊθ/
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
many times at short intervals
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading "Your remark sounds almost like a bull."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
precisely, exactly
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading "Your remark sounds almost like a bull."
lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
carry out
From this reading "Well, I mean to take the bull by the horns," replied Martine; "you can blame any one else for the deportation, but not the poor Acadians.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
(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 "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
at the time that
From this reading They may have been stupid about the oath, and probably they were too easily influenced by Le Loutre, but they had been handed from England to France and from France to England so often that I don't see how they could consider themselves English when really they were French."
in the company of; together with
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG OF IT "For my own part," said Martine, "I am just as firmly on the side of the Acadians as ever.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You must have had Irish ancestors as well as French," said Amy, with a laugh.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Your remark sounds almost like a bull."
