used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
in the past
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
any person at all
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading But the two boys were the only passengers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the two boys were the only passengers.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading They stood on the platform of the carriage and looked at the crowd.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
hurricane-lantern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
discontinued temporarily
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading They stood on the platform of the carriage and looked at the crowd.
come together
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
the force of workers available
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
not any; not one
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They stood on the platform of the carriage and looked at the crowd.
and nothing more
From this reading But the two boys were the only passengers.
Oodnadatta
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading But the two boys were the only passengers.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading They stood on the platform of the carriage and looked at the crowd.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
SaxnounUS /sæks/
a Belgian maker of musical instruments who invented the saxophone (1814-1894)
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading They stood on the platform of the carriage and looked at the crowd.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They stood on the platform of the carriage and looked at the crowd.
a special situation
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
create by training and teaching
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
a source of difficulty
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But the two boys were the only passengers.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
not known
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
verandanounUS /vərˈændə/
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
accept gladly
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the two boys were the only passengers.
at the time that
From this reading A Message from the Unknown The sun had set several hours ago when the train finally pulled up at Oodnadatta station.
which person or people
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A hurricane-lantern hung under a veranda, and showed a crowd of about twenty men, women, and children with eager faces, ready to welcome anyone who had completed the interrupted journey.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
a late time of life
From this reading It was seven years since Sax had seen his father, but he felt sure he would recognize him instantly; and, besides, it was such a rare thing for two strange lads to come up on the Far North train, that if anyone had been there to meet them, he would have had no trouble in picking them out.
