used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
anew
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
Crusoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
departingverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “depart” — move away from a place into another direction
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
FootprintsnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnts/
plural of “footprint” — a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
set up or found
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
FridaynounUS /ˈfraɪdi/
the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
go away from a place
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
life'snounUS /laɪfs/
possessive form of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
most important element
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
engage in
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Another human being has been here before me.”
the force of workers available
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
o'eradverb
throughout a period of time
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
by chance
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
To recall to mind.
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
remindverbUS /riˈmaɪnd/
put in the mind of someone
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
RobinsonnounUS /ˈrɑːbənsən/
English chemist noted for his studies of molecular structures in plants (1886-1975)
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
SailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
sandsnounUS /sændz/
the region of the shore of a lake or sea or ocean
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
shipwrecked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
in the near future
From this reading Soon afterward he had the good fortune to find his “man Friday.”
sublimeadjectiveUS /səˈblaɪm/
inspiring awe
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
carry out
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I am not alone!” said he to himself.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A GREAT POET Lives of great men all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time;— Footprints, that perhaps another, Sailing o’er life’s solemn main, A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, Seeing, shall take heart again.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You doubtless remember how Robinson Crusoe one day found footprints in the sand on the shore of his desert island.
