used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
accompanyverbUS /əˈkʌmpəni/
be present or associated with an event or entity
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
advisedadjectiveUS /ædˈvaɪzd/
having the benefit of careful prior consideration or counsel
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
backwoodsmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
cartnounUS /kɑːrt/
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
directingadjectiveUS /dərˈektɪŋ/
showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
divisible by two
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
at any time
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
hardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
go away from a place
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
engage in
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
express in speech
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
carry out
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
volunteeredverbUS /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪrd/
past form of “volunteer” — tell voluntarily
From this reading But my father, feeling the importance of obtaining some fresh meat, volunteered to go,--directing a light cart to follow, in order to bring back our game,--and I obtained leave to accompany him.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Talking to my father, and finding that even he had never shot any buffalo, the Indian advised that we should allow him and his people to attack the herd in their own manner, as the animals might take alarm before we could get up to them, and escape us altogether.
(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 One of the Indians could speak English sufficiently well to make himself understood by us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Few of our people, although hardy backwoodsmen, were accustomed to hunting; and few, indeed, had ever seen any buffalo.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My father agreed to this, saying that, should they fail, he would be ready with his rifle to ride after the herd and try to bring down one or more of them.
