used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
in a state of sleep
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
(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 If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
customsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
someone who is a detective
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
without deviation
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
excusedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈkjuːzd/
granted exemption
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
expoundverbUS /ɪkˈspaʊnd/
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
a social unit living together
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
start firing a weapon
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
set up or found
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
FOURTEENnounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
heathens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
LabannounUS /ˈleɪbən/
Hungarian choreographer who developed Labanotation (1879-1958)
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
immediately past
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
staying power
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
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 How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
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 If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
used to form the superlative
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
not any; not one
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
pinenounUS /paɪn/
a coniferous tree
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
robenounUS /roʊb/
any loose flowing garment
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
sentry's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
settlementsnounUS /ˈsetəlmənts/
plural of “settlement” — a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
shrieksnounUS /ʃriːks/
plural of “shriek” — sharp piercing cry
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
in the near future
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
express in words
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
in the direction of
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
unearthlyadjectiveUS /əˈnɜːrθli/
concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul
From this reading How long I had slept I could not tell, (it was, I afterwards found, some hours), when I was awoke by the most unearthly shrieks and cries, which seemed to come directly from under the very spot on which I lay.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
precisely as stated
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading If, Dick, we didn't keep up our religious customs very strictly in the back settlements, we should soon, as many do, become no better than heathens."
at the time that
From this reading "It's an old custom of mine," said Laban to me, "when I cannot expound to my family, or hold forth in prayer as usual.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading As I had been on my legs for the best part of the last two days and nights, I was excused doing sentry's duty, and no sooner had I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe, with my feet towards the fire, and my head on a pine log, which served me as a pillow, than I was fast asleep.
