used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
bathingnounUS /ˈbeɪðɪŋ/
immersing the body in water or sunshine
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
cottonwoodnounUS /ˈkɑːtənwʊd/
any of several North American trees of the genus Populus having a tuft of cottony hairs on the seed
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
feelersnounUS /ˈfiːlərz/
plural of “feeler” — one of a pair of mobile appendages on the head of e.g. insects and crustaceans; typically sensitive to touch and taste
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
only a very short time before
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
hatchetsnounUS /ˈhætʃəts/
plural of “hatchet” — weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
hour'snounUS /ˈaʊərz/
possessive form of “hour” — a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
polesnounUS /poʊlz/
plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
progressedverbUS /prəˈɡrest/
past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
with speed
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
saplingsnounUS /ˈsæplɪŋz/
plural of “sapling” — young tree
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
serviceableadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəbəl/
ready for service or able to give long service
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
successive (without a break)
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
timbernounUS /ˈtɪmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading They might have used their fishing rods for this purpose, but these were not serviceable, as they were of extremely light material and, moreover, were hardly long enough for this purpose.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading WATCHED.
water-depth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After a half hour's search they were in possession of three straight cottonwood poles, ten or twelve feet long, and with these in their possession, they began an examination of the water-depth along the shore for a safe and suitable bathing place.
in the company of; together with
From this reading After luncheon, the girls, with two sharp hatchets among them, began a search through the timber for some long, slim saplings.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The saplings proved to be excellent "feelers" and the work progressed rapidly from the start.
