AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
BoernounUS /bɔːr/
a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
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 JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
buryingnounUS /ˈberiɪŋ/
concealing something under the ground
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
civiladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
criedverbUS /kraɪd/
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
Croft's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
drewnounUS /druː/
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
DutchmannounUS /ˈdʌtʃmən/
a native or inhabitant of Holland
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
explainedverbUS /ɪkˈspleɪnd/
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
FINDSnounUS /faɪndz/
plural of “find” — a productive insight
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
FRIENDnounUS /frend/
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
good-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
hawksnounUS /hɔːks/
plural of “hawk” — diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
JESS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
likelyadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪkli/
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
Mooifontein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
Oom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
partynounUS /ˈpɑːrti/
an organization to gain political power
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
passverbUS /pæs/
go across or through
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
producedverbUS /prəˈduːst/
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
pulledverbUS /pʊld/
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
replacedverbUS /ˌriːˈpleɪst/
past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
revolvernounUS /rɪˈvɑːlvər/
a pistol with a revolving cylinder (usually having six chambers for bullets)
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
shoutverbUS /ʃaʊt/
utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
sparrownounUS /ˈsperoʊ/
any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
swoopedverbUS /swuːpt/
past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
thinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading “Ah, _Oom_ Croft’s!” said the Boer as he took the pass, “you are likely to meet a burying party there,” but at the time Jess did not understand what he meant.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading John pulled up his horse and drew his revolver.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
wishedverbUS /wɪʃt/
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading “Don’t, don’t!” cried Jess; “our only chance is to be civil;” whereon, thinking better of the matter, he replaced it, and wished the leading Boer good-day.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading JESS FINDS A FRIEND The Boers swooped down on them with a shout, like hawks on a sparrow.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What are you doing here?” asked the Dutchman; whereon Jess explained that they had a pass—which John promptly produced—and were proceeding to Mooifontein.
