adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
allowverbUS /əˈlaʊ/
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
ant-heap
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
asleepadjectiveUS /əˈsliːp/
in a state of sleep
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
blewverbUS /bluː/
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
BoersnounUS /bɔːrz/
plural of “boer” — a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
breathingnounUS /ˈbriːðɪŋ/
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
breezenounUS /briːz/
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
cartnounUS /kɑːrt/
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
cleveradjectiveUS /ˈklevər/
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
creamnounUS /kriːm/
the best people or things in a group
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
diedverbUS /daɪd/
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
DRIFTverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
dronedverbUS /droʊnd/
past form of “drone” — make a monotonous low dull sound
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
eatverbUS /iːt/
take in solid food
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
fastadverbUS /fæst/
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
feelverbUS /fiːl/
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
grassverbUS /ɡræs/
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
heatnounUS /hiːt/
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
hobbledverbUS /ˈhɑːbəld/
past form of “hobble” — walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
improvisingverbUS /ˈɪmprəvaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “improvise” — perform without preparation
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
ItaliansnounUS /ˌɪˈtæljənz/
plural of “italian” — a native or inhabitant of Italy
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
knee-halters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
mindnounUS /maɪnd/
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
mouthfulnounUS /ˈmaʊθfʊl/
the quantity that can be held in the mouth
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
Mouti
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
nearadverbUS /nɪr/
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
outstretchedadjectiveUS /aʊtˈstretʃt/
fully extended especially in length
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
overpoweredverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈpaʊərd/
past form of “overpower” — overcome by superior force
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
settingnounUS /ˈsetɪŋ/
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
songnounUS /sɔːŋ/
a short musical composition with words
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
thoroughlyadverbUS /ˈθɜːroʊli/
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Even the two Boers seemed to feel the heat, for they lay outstretched on the grass a few paces to the left, to all appearance fast asleep.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
VAAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE DRIFT OF THE VAAL The day had been intensely hot, and our travellers sat in the shade of the cart overpowered and gasping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
welladverbUS /wel/
(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 As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading During the afternoon a faint breeze blew, but this had now died away, and the stifling air felt as thick as though they were breathing cream.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As for the horses, they were thoroughly done up—too much so to eat—and hobbled along as well as their knee-halters would allow, daintily picking a mouthful here and a mouthful there.
ZulunounUS /ˈzuːluː/
a member of the tall Negroid people of eastern South Africa; some live in KwaZulu-Natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
ZulusnounUS /ˈzuːluːz/
plural of “zulu” — a member of the tall Negroid people of eastern South Africa; some live in KwaZulu-Natal under the traditional clan system but many now work in the cities
From this reading The only person who did not seem to mind was the Zulu Mouti, who sat on an ant-heap near the horses, in full glare of the setting sun, and comfortably droned out a little song of his own invention, for Zulus seem as clever at improvising as are the Italians.
