used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
(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 this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
chickennounUS /ˈtʃɪkən/
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
the act of consuming food
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
at any time
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
an act that fails
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
provide as food
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
FIRE-MAKER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
HellonounUS /həˈloʊ/
an expression of greeting
From this reading "Hello! what's that?
someone who hunts game
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
engage in
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
mixverbUS /mɪks/
mix together different elements
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
and nothing more
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
poundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
roastverbUS /roʊst/
cook with dry heat, usually in an oven
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
ToddnounUS /tɑːd/
Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
TODD'SnounUS /tɑːdz/
possessive form of “todd” — Scottish chemist noted for his research into the structure of nucleic acids (born in 1907)
From this reading TODD'S FAILURE AS A HUNTER AND A FIRE-MAKER.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Hello! what's that?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Oh, if I only had a fire in which to roast it, what a difference it would make!
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading As it is, I believe I am using up more strength in eating it than it will ever pay back.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
of very poor quality or condition
From this reading "If this wretched corn was only hard enough to pound into meal," reflected Todd, "I might mix it with water and make a sort of chicken feed that would at least keep me alive until I could find something better.
