used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
any thing at all
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
for the reason that
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
Beeswaxnoun
a yellow to brown wax secreted by honeybees to build honeycombs
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
next to; at the side of
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
BirchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
a small house with a single story
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
cottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
CustomernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
your parents
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
usually; as a rule
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
the act of departing
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
GRAPEnounUS /ɡreɪp/
any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
grapesnounUS /ɡreɪps/
plural of “grape” — any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
GreenlandnounUS /ˈɡriːnlənd/
the largest island in the world; lies between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean; a self-governing province of Denmark
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
honeynounUS /ˈhʌni/
a sweet yellow liquid produced by bees
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
Jibby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
and nothing more
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
rakeverbUS /reɪk/
move through with or as if with a rake
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
rescued; especially from the power and consequences of sin
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
carry out
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
ToughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading One day, just after we had met him at Greenland Creek Uncle Beeswax had stopped at Birch Island to see if our folks wanted any honey or beeswax.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
(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 THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We weren’t doing anything but waiting, or nothing much else, but we had three or four empty baskets and a rake and an axe beside us.
at the time that
From this reading Generally, when he stopped at our island he went right past us boys and up to the cottages, but since we had saved him from the Tough Customer he liked us, I guess.
in or at the place that
From this reading THE GRAPE TREE Well, one afternoon--it was about two weeks later--I was sitting on the grass where the mud cove is, just below our cottage up there on our Birch Island, and Jibby Jones was sitting beside me.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading We were waiting for Uncle Beeswax, because he was going to take us to get wild grapes.
