used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
abundancenounUS /əˈbʌndəns/
the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
BlackfootnounUS /ˈblækfʊt/
a member of a warlike group of Algonquians living in the northwestern plains
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
without doubt or question
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
closingnounUS /ˈkloʊzɪŋ/
the act of closing something
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
COLUMBIAnounUS /kəˈlʌmbiə/
a North American river; rises in southwestern Canada and flows southward across Washington to form the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific; known for its salmon runs in the spring
From this reading DOWN THE COLUMBIA.
comprehendverbUS /ˌkɑːmpriˈhend/
get the meaning of something
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
Deerfoot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading DOWN THE COLUMBIA.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
gratifiedadjectiveUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪd/
having received what was desired
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading They looked at the ground and then pointed to the lumber.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
jargonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːrɡən/
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They looked at the ground and then pointed to the lumber.
lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading They looked at the ground and then pointed to the lumber.
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 A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
having a point
From this reading They looked at the ground and then pointed to the lumber.
progressedverbUS /prəˈɡrest/
past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
similaritynounUS /ˌsɪməˈlerəti/
the quality of being similar
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
required or under orders
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DOWN THE COLUMBIA.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They looked at the ground and then pointed to the lumber.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading THE Blackfoot was gratified to find himself able to understand the jargon spoken by the visitors, although he did not know to what tribe they belonged.
at the time that
From this reading Night was closing in, and the fact that the explorers did not start a fire when such an abundance of fuel was at hand clearly surprised the strangers.
the words that are spoken
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A marked similarity showed between many words in the two tongues, and conversation progressed better than would have been supposed, Deerfoot being able to comprehend almost as much as his friend.
