used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
(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 It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
any thing at all
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
assegainoun
the slender spear of the Bantu-speaking people of Africa
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
bamboonounUS /bæmˈbuː/
the hard woody stems of bamboo plants; used in construction and crafts and fishing poles
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
EnglishmennounUS /ˌeŋˈlɪʃmən/
plural of “englishman” — a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
at any time
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
featherverbUS /ˈfeðər/
join tongue and groove, in carpentry
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
cause to move by striking
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
and nothing more
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
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 It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
engage in
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
a form of address for a man
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
and nothing more
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
by chance
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
splendidlyadverbUS /ˈsplendədli/
extremely well
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
carry out
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
express in words
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
propel through the air
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
toolnounUS /tuːl/
an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading Then I got a big knife blade that hadn't any handle to it, and that had been lying in father's tool chest for ever so long, and fastened it on the end of the bamboo.
Travers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
precisely as stated
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading And then perhaps the Zulus, when they want to hit them, aim at something else.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
at the time that
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
in or at the place that
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was a good while before I could find anything to make an assegai out of; but after hunting all over the house, I came across a lovely piece of bamboo about ten feet long, and just as light as a feather.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You wouldn't believe how splendidly I could throw that assegai, only the wind would take it, and you couldn't tell when you threw it where it would bring up.
ZulusnounUS /ˈzuːluːz/
plural of “zulu” — a member of the tall Negroid people of eastern South Africa; some live in KwaZulu-Natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities
From this reading I don't see how the Zulus ever manage to hit an Englishman; but Mr. Travers says that the Englishmen are all so made that you can't very well miss them.
