Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

anew

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading He called it "The Great Battle between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air."

passing reference or indirect mention

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading He called it "The Great Battle between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air."

show off

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He called it "The Great Battle between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air."

-ing form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading He called it "The Great Battle between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air."

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

the unwritten lore (stories and proverbs and riddles and songs) of a culture

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

set up or found

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a feeling of jealous envy (especially of a rival)

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

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 For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

come together

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

possessive form of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

the quality of being superior

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

in or at that place or location

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading He called it "The Great Battle between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading For a long time there had been jealousy between the Things of the Earth and the Things of the Air, each claiming superiority for themselves; each could do something the others could not do; and each thought their powers greater and their qualities superior.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading One day a number of them happened to meet on an open plain near the river's bank, and the game of brag began again as usual.

(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 It is well enough known in South Africa, and similar stories are to be found in the folklore of other countries, but it had a special interest for us in that Jantje gave it as having come to him from his own people.

at the time that

From this reading He had made some allusion to `the great battle,' and when I asked for an explanation he told us the story.