used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
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 In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
AfricanadjectiveUS /ˈæfrəkən/
of or relating to the nations of Africa or their peoples
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
(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 After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
a youthful male person
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
a young person of either sex
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
civilisationnoun
the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
denotedverbUS /dɪˈnoʊtəd/
past form of “denote” — be a sign or indication of
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
else's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
king'snounUS /kɪŋz/
possessive form of “king” — a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
likenessnounUS /ˈlaɪknəs/
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
the force of workers available
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
Mou-Setse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
not any; not one
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
person'snounUS /ˈpɜːrsənz/
possessive form of “person” — a human being
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
picturesqueadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərəsk/
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
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 After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So far, his story was like any other person's story, but there, I think, the likeness came to an end.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mou-Setse first opened his eyes on the world in a clay hut; but this fact by no means denoted that his parents were poor people; on the contrary, his father was one of the chief men of the town, and a member of the king's council.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was an African boy, and knew nothing of what we English people call civilisation.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading After all, his story began like any one else's--he came into the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In a picturesque town in Africa he opened his eyes; and there is no doubt that his mother was as proud of her little black baby as any English mother would be of her child with fair skin.
