Chapter XXVII · Chapter 27

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

aimlessly drifting

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

in a state of sleep

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

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

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

plural of “biscuit” — small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

an English pirate who operated in the Caribbean and off the Atlantic coast of North America (died in 1718)

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But it was not aimless.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

characterized by great determination

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

a relatively long dagger with a straight blade

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

fearful expectation or anticipation

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

set up or found

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

a young female

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

impossible to subdue

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

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 In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

used to form the superlative

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

the time of day immediately following sunset

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

not any; not one

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But it was not aimless.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

any of several low-growing palms with fan-shaped leaves

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

a separate part of a whole

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

a particular situation

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

in the near future

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

use up a period of time in a specific way

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

the season of growth

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

required or under orders

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

in the direction of

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

a vagrant

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

precisely as stated

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.

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

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

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

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading In the morning he rose early from his green couch, ate the few biscuits which were left in his pockets, and, putting on his shoes and stockings, started forth upon, what might have been supposed to be, an aimless tramp.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

which person or people

From this reading A GIRL WHO LAUGHED It was towards nightfall of the day on which Dickory had escaped from the pirates at the spring that he found himself on a piece of high ground in an open place in the forest, and here he determined to spend the night.

conducive to or characteristic of physical or moral well-being

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Dickory had a most wholesome dread of that indomitable apostle of cruelty and wickedness, the pirate Blackbeard.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With his dirk he cut a quantity of palmetto leaves and made himself a very comfortable bed, on which he was soon asleep, fearing no pirates.