used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
in the past
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
appliedadjectiveUS /əˈplaɪd/
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
chanteys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
cumberverbUS /ˈkʌmbər/
restrict (someone or something) so as to make free movement difficult
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
discardedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskɑːrdɪd/
thrown away
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
disusenounUS /dɪˈsjuːs/
the state of something that has been unused and neglected
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
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 THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
expandedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspændəd/
increased in extent or size or bulk or scope
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
people in general (often used in the plural)
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
himine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
hymnnounUS /hɪm/
a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
hymnsnounUS /hɪmz/
plural of “hymn” — a song of praise (to God or to a saint or to a nation)
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
includeverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːd/
have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
IslandernounUS /ˈaɪləndər/
an inhabitant of an island
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
Kanakazation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
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 Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
missionariesnounUS /ˈmɪʃəneriz/
plural of “missionary” — someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
missionsnounUS /ˈmɪʃənz/
plural of “mission” — an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
prominentadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːmənənt/
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
with speed
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
rowingnounUS /ˈroʊɪŋ/
the act of rowing as a sport
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
superfluitynoun
extreme excess
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
TAHITInounUS /təˈhiːti/
an island in the south Pacific; the most important island in French Polynesia; made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson and Paul Gauguin
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
Tahitiannoun
a native or inhabitant of Tahiti
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
a special situation
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Before the days of the missions there must have been some other term, for singing was quite as prominent an occupation of the native then as now, but it was discarded as a superfluity long ago.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
at the time that
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Thus _himine_ was at first applied to nothing but the hymns which the missionaries taught.
whitesnounUS /waɪts/
plural of “white” — a Caucasian
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading THE SONG AND DANCE IN TAHITI The Tahitian word for song, _himine_, is a Kanakazation of the English word hymn.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The South Sea Islander does not cumber his memory with more than one name at a time for any given thing, and when new words were forced upon him, as was inevitable with the coming of the whites, the old ones quickly disappeared through disuse.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading Then the term expanded to include the rowing and working chanteys of the natives, and finally to the folk and dance songs.
