used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
(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 Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
brandynounUS /ˈbrændi/
distilled from wine or fermented fruit juice
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
bright-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
circlesnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəlz/
plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
without stop or interruption
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
diggernounUS /ˈdɪɡər/
a laborer who digs
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
take in liquids
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
drunkennessnounUS /ˈdrʌŋkənnəs/
a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
gamblingnounUS /ˈɡæmbəlɪŋ/
the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
the act of departing
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
insistverbUS /ˌɪnˈsɪst/
be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
intoxicatedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtɑːksəkeɪtɪd/
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
intoxicationnounUS /ˌɪntɑːksəˈkeɪʃən/
the physiological state produced by a poison or other toxic substance
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
conformity or harmony
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
loiteringverbUS /ˈlɔɪtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “loiter” — be about
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
loudlyadverbUS /ˈlaʊdli/
with relatively high volume
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
in motion
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
occurringverbUS /əˈkɜːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
many times at short intervals
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
cut with a saw
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
senoritas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
SonoranounUS /səˈnɔːrə/
ground snakes
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
swallowedverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊd/
past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
not known
From this reading He was moving about in half circles over the floor, keeping his feet under him with much difficulty, unknown to himself.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Every now and then, he loudly declared his intention of going home, as if he thought such a proceeding on his part, was one in which all around him must be highly interested.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
which person or people
From this reading One evening, while loitering about in one of the gambling houses, we saw a digger who was intoxicated, almost to the degree of drunkenness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
witnessingverbUS /ˈwɪtnəsɪŋ/
-ing form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading We often used to walk into Sonora in the evening; and amuse ourselves, by witnessing the scenes occurring in the gambling houses, or having a dance with the bright-eyed Mexican senoritas.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Each time, before going, he would insist upon having another drink; and this continued, until he had swallowed several glasses of brandy, on the top of those that had already produced his intoxication.
