used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
abandonedadjectiveUS /əˈbændənd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
(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 The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
ammunitionnounUS /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/
projectiles to be fired from a gun
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The sleds, of course, were no longer of any use.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
belongingsnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋz/
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
blanketsnounUS /ˈblæŋkəts/
plural of “blanket” — bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
BradfordsnounUS /ˈbrædfərdz/
plural of “bradford” — United States printer (born in England) whose press produced the first American prayer book and the New York City's first newspaper (1663-1752)
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
cookingnounUS /ˈkʊkɪŋ/
the act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The sleds, of course, were no longer of any use.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
the act of departing
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
divisible by two
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
plural of “good” — benefit
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
to a considerable degree
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Most of the Mackinaw clothing was now too heavy.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
go away from a place
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
for more time
From this reading The sleds, of course, were no longer of any use.
MackinawnounUS /ˈmækənɔː/
a short plaid coat made of made of thick woolen material
From this reading Most of the Mackinaw clothing was now too heavy.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Most of the Mackinaw clothing was now too heavy.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
not any; not one
From this reading The sleds, of course, were no longer of any use.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Most of the Mackinaw clothing was now too heavy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
overhauledverbUS /ˈoʊvərhɔːld/
past form of “overhaul” — travel past
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
PreparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
sledsnounUS /sledz/
plural of “sled” — a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
From this reading The sleds, of course, were no longer of any use.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
required or under orders
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
carry out
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Most of the Mackinaw clothing was now too heavy.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
the act of using
From this reading The sleds, of course, were no longer of any use.
utensilsnounUS /juːˈtensəlz/
plural of “utensil” — an implement for practical use (especially in a household)
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was even less food than they supposed,--barely enough for three days,--but tents, blankets, cooking utensils, tools, guns, ammunition, clothing, and various small articles promised to load them heavily, and it was seen that a part of their goods must be abandoned.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A HARD JOURNEY Preparations for departure were begun that evening.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Bradfords overhauled all their belongings, and decided what they would take and what they would have to leave.
