used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading They carried on their heads large baskets full of yams.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
bunchesnounUS /ˈbʌntʃəz/
plural of “bunch” — a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They carried on their heads large baskets full of yams.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They carried on their heads large baskets full of yams.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
lances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They carried on their heads large baskets full of yams.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
nativesnounUS /ˈneɪtɪvz/
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
not any; not one
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They carried on their heads large baskets full of yams.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading During another visit the natives showed more confidence.
waistsnounUS /weɪsts/
plural of “waist” — the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading During the next visit the people were more shy than at first.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The women had no ornaments, but wore bunches of green branches before and behind, on a string round their waists.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The men wore feathers in their heads, and had lances in their hands.
yamsnounUS /jæmz/
plural of “yam” — edible tuber of any of several yams
From this reading They carried on their heads large baskets full of yams.
