used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
in the past
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
beardedadjectiveUS /ˈbɪrdəd/
having hair on the cheeks and chin
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
a youthful male person
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
give encouragement to
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
chieftainnounUS /ˈtʃiːftən/
the leader of a group of people
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
at any time
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
expertsnounUS /ˈekspərts/
plural of “expert” — a person with special knowledge or ability who performs skillfully
From this reading There are many experts among these South Sea Islanders.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
fadnounUS /fæd/
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
a young female
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
highest in quality
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
HOME-MADE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
IslandersnounUS /ˈaɪləndərz/
plural of “islander” — an inhabitant of an island
From this reading There are many experts among these South Sea Islanders.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
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 HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
the force of workers available
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
used to form the superlative
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
MurraynounUS /ˈmɜːri/
British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
many times at short intervals
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
precautionsnounUS /priˈkɔːʃənz/
plural of “precaution” — a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
restrictverbUS /riˈstrɪkt/
place restrictions on
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
an educational institution
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
deliver by singing
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
spinverbUS /spɪn/
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
creating thread
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
stylesnounUS /staɪlz/
plural of “style” — how something is done or how it happens
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
carry out
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There are many experts among these South Sea Islanders.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
the upper part of anything
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
TOPSadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Matters became so serious, in fact, as a result of this fad for top spinning, that, finally, the head chieftain was compelled to restrict it to certain days.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
which person or people
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The men sing songs while their tops spin, cheer them on, and take the greatest precautions to shelter them from wind.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
a late time of life
From this reading A few years ago on Murray Island, which is way down among the South Sea Islands, top spinning took such a strong hold upon the attention of the natives that they neglected their work, and families often were without food, boys and girls having to go to school hungry.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading HOME-MADE TOPS There are many styles of tops, probably more than you ever dreamed of, and it will surprise you to hear that the owners of some of the most curious forms are bearded men who take as much delight as any girl or boy in spinning them.
