used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
quickly and without warning
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
at or in the front
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
any thing at all
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
on or to one side
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
Backus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
(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 "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
(Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
put on clothes
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
and nothing more
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
a woman of refinement
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
marenounUS /mer/
female equine animal
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
come together
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
not any; not one
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
a course of conduct
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
plough-lands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
established beyond doubt
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
reinedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rein” — control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
Remo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
cut with a saw
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
express in words
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
express in speech
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
StephensnounUS /ˈstiːvənz/
plural of “stephen” — English writer (1832-1904)
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
storekeepernounUS /ˈstɔːrkiːpər/
a merchant who owns or manages a shop
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading They turned aside to meet him, and as he drew nearer it proved to be no other that Mr. Backus himself.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
WHAILAHAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
a Caucasian
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
belonging to which person
From this reading MADAM WHAILAHAY No sooner had they reached the outskirts of the village than they saw a man on foot, whose dress proclaimed him to be a white man, approaching from the San Remo direction, not by the road, but by a path that led through the plough-lands.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I'll catch you up in a few minutes, but I just want to hear if he knows anything"; and they rode forward accordingly.
You'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You'd better go ahead," said Stephens to his three Indian companions as he reined up his mare in order to speak to him.
you've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "This is a devil of a business," he began abruptly, addressing the storekeeper, "and I should like to hear what you've got to say about it."
