used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
speak to
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
how long something has existed
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading BEN MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
baggagenounUS /ˈbæɡədʒ/
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading BEN MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
a youthful male person
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
carpet-bag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
placed crosswise
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading BEN MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
a man of refinement
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
MEETSnounUS /miːts/
plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held
From this reading BEN MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading BEN MEETS AN OLD FRIEND.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
piernounUS /pɪr/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
plankverbUS /plæŋk/
cover with planks
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
relationshipnounUS /riˈleɪʃənʃɪp/
a relation between people; (“relationship” is often used where “relation” would serve, as in `the relationship between inflation and unemployment', but the preferred usage of “relationship” is for human relations or states of relatedness)
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
steamernounUS /ˈstiːmər/
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
valisenoun
a small overnight bag for short trips
From this reading The boy had a carpet-bag in his hand; the father, for such appeared to be the relationship, carried a heavy valise, besides a small bundle.
varyingadjectiveUS /ˈveriɪŋ/
marked by diversity or difference
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Ben had about half an hour to wait for the arrival of the steamer.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
which person or people
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Among the passengers who crossed the plank from the steamer to the pier was a gentleman of middle age, and a boy about a year younger than Ben.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Want your baggage carried?" asked Ben, varying his usual address.
