used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
Bigelow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
opinion or judgment
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
groupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
hidesnounUS /haɪdz/
plural of “hide” — the dressed skin of an animal (especially a large animal)
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
kettlesnounUS /ˈketəlz/
plural of “kettle” — a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
machetesnounUS /məˈʃetiːz/
plural of “machete” — a large heavy knife used in Central and South America as a weapon or for cutting vegetation
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
not any; not one
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
determined
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
carry out
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But, strain their eyes as they did, the explorers could see no Indians.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Deserted Village Professor Bigelow was right.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the shore not far away were a dozen or more native huts, grouped in a cluster about one that was larger and more carefully built.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading All about on the ground were various objects of daily life, such as wooden machetes, pots and kettles of clay, pieces of wood, and hides and skins of animals.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The explorers were uncertain as to whether it would be safe to go ashore, but finally Professor Bigelow resolved to take the chance.
