used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
in the past
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
beginningsnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋz/
plural of “beginning” — the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
bonenounUS /boʊn/
rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
branchedadjectiveUS /bræntʃt/
resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
brutenounUS /bruːt/
a cruelly rapacious person
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
the act of burning something
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
contemporaneousadjectiveUS /kənˌtempərˈeɪniəs/
occurring in the same period of time
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
daubingnoun
the application of plaster
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
at any time
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
evolutionnounUS /ˌevəˈluːʃən/
a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
promote over another
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
foreignernounUS /ˈfɔːrənər/
a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
generationnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃən/
all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
markingnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋ/
a distinguishing symbol
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
markingsnounUS /ˈmɑːrkɪŋz/
plural of “marking” — a distinguishing symbol
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
Marquesan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
Marquesas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
not able to be found
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
NeolithicnounUS /ˈniːoʊlɪθɪk/
latest part of the Stone Age beginning about 10,000 BC in the Middle East (but later elsewhere)
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
originnounUS /ˈɔːrədʒən/
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
by chance
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
recordsnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdz/
plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
socially incorrect in behavior
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
scratchings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It perhaps followed in the procession of art the rude scratchings on bone and daubing on rock.
SkilledadjectiveUS /skɪld/
having or showing or requiring special skill
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
tattooedverbUS /ˌtæˈtuːd/
past form of “tattoo” — stain (skin) with indelible color
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
tattooers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
TATTOOINGverbUS /ˌtæˈtuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “tattoo” — stain (skin) with indelible color
From this reading TATTOOING, the marking of designs on the human skin in life, is an art so old that its beginnings are lost to records.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
vanitynounUS /ˈvænəti/
feelings of excessive pride
From this reading Its origin, perhaps, was contemporaneous with vanity, and that was in the heart of man before he branched from the missing limb of evolution.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was practised when the Neolithic brute went out to club his fellows and drag in his body to the fire his mate kept ever burning.
at the time that
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
which person or people
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Skilled tattooers of Marquesas Islands a generation ago—Entire bodies covered with intricate tattooed designs—The foreigner who had himself tattooed to win the favor of a Marquesan beauty—The magic that removed the markings when he was recalled to his former life in England.
