used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
the lower side of anything
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
canoenounUS /kəˈnuː/
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
escapingverbUS /ɪˈskeɪpɪŋ/
-ing form of “escape” — run away from confinement
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
existedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪstəd/
past form of “exist” — have an existence, be extant
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
obtain
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
the act of giving
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
hunter'snounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
possessive form of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
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 "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
powder-flask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
exert pressure or force to or upon
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
compacted by ironing
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
cut with a saw
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
not in physical motion
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
tightadjectiveUS /taɪt/
closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
tighteradjectiveUS /ˈtaɪtər/
comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
up to a particular time
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
the act of using
From this reading If I could find it, I had little fear that I should know how to use it.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading He saw his advantage; the time was come, he thought, to gain the victory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "The Indian guessed what I was about, and pressed my throat tighter and tighter, till I felt myself growing black in the face.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I caught hold of the side of the canoe with one hand, and with the other, letting go my rifle, I felt about for my knife, which, with my powder-flask and other things, I had thrown into the bottom of the canoe.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
windpipenoun
membranous tube with cartilaginous rings that conveys inhaled air from the larynx to the bronchi
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "So tight did he press my windpipe, that I felt I had but a slight chance of escaping with my life; still, I had lived too long a hunter's life to think of giving in while a hope of escape existed.
