adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
answerverbUS /ˈænsər/
react verbally
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
armnounUS /ɑːrm/
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
blowverbUS /bloʊ/
exhale hard
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
breathnounUS /breθ/
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
curlverbUS /kɜːrl/
form a curl, curve, or kink
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
Dingaan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
downwardsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnwərdz/
spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
edgenounUS /edʒ/
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
Faku
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
FAREWELLnounUS /ˌferˈwel/
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
Groan-Maker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
liftedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪftəd/
held up in the air
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
LILY'SnounUS /ˈlɪliːz/
possessive form of “lily” — any liliaceous plant of the genus Lilium having showy pendulous flowers
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
MannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
PresentlyadverbUS /ˈprezəntli/
in the near future
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
ringverbUS /rɪŋ/
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I am ready, Man of Dingaan,” he said, and lifted his axe.
scalpnounUS /skælp/
the skin that covers the top of the head
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
severingnounUS /ˈsevərɪŋ/
the act of severing
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
Slaughterernoun
a person who slaughters or dresses meat for market
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
smote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
strikeverbUS /straɪk/
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
Umslopogaas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Faku crooked his arm and let the axe curl downwards, so that its keen edge smote Umslopogaas upon the head, severing his man’s ring and the scalp beneath.
waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Now for awhile the two circled round and round, each waiting for a chance to strike.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading Presently Faku smote at the head of Umslopogaas, but the Slaughterer lifted Groan-Maker to ward the blow.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE LILY’S FAREWELL Umslopogaas listened, but he made no answer to the words of Faku the captain, though he liked them well, for he would not waste his breath in talking, and the light grew low.
