used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FIGHT, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
a youthful male person
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading FIGHT, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
divisible by two
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading FIGHT, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
home-training
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FIGHT, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
LeenounUS /liː/
United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
Myers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbstənət/
tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FIGHT, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
sawingverbUS /ˈsɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “saw” — cut with a saw
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
and nothing more
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
splittingadjectiveUS /ˈsplɪtɪŋ/
resembling a sound of violent tearing as of something ripped apart or lightning splitting a tree
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
unwiseadjectiveUS /ənˈwaɪz/
showing or resulting from lack of judgment or wisdom
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
viciousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪʃəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dick Lee was an unwise boy that afternoon.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was, however, something almost vicious in the way he came down with his axe upon some of the more obstinate pieces.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading FIGHT, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading It was simply impossible for him to imagine that he was pulling in fish, or having any other kind of fun, while he was sawing wood, or even while splitting it.
woodpilenounUS /ˈwʊdpaɪl/
a pile or stack of wood to be used for fuel
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He knew how to turn his hand to a great many things, thanks to his home-training; and a woodpile was one of the matters he had learned how to deal with, but he had not taken hold of that of Mrs. Myers with any heart for his work.
