used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After breakfast they went together to the river, and found the canoe and the two half-breeds waiting for them.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
the lower side of anything
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
breakfasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
busilyadverbUS /ˈbɪzəli/
in a busy manner
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
canoenounUS /kəˈnuː/
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
move gently or carefully
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
set up or found
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
genialadjectiveUS /ˈdʒiːnjəl/
diffusing warmth and friendliness
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
a man of refinement
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
half-breeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After breakfast they went together to the river, and found the canoe and the two half-breeds waiting for them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
lowlyadjectiveUS /ˈloʊli/
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
MasonnounUS /ˈmeɪsən/
American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
offhandadjectiveUS /ˈɔːfˈhænd/
with little or no preparation or forethought
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading After breakfast they went together to the river, and found the canoe and the two half-breeds waiting for them.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
seatsnounUS /siːts/
an area that includes places where several people can sit
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
slantingadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
snacknounUS /snæk/
a light informal meal
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After breakfast they went together to the river, and found the canoe and the two half-breeds waiting for them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
TrentonnounUS /ˈtrentən/
capital of the state of New Jersey; located in western New Jersey on the Delaware river
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading After breakfast they went together to the river, and found the canoe and the two half-breeds waiting for them.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading That genial gentleman was evidently ill at ease, but he said in an offhand way-- “The ladies have already breakfasted.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After breakfast they went together to the river, and found the canoe and the two half-breeds waiting for them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
at the time that
From this reading When John Trenton came in to breakfast, he found his friend Mason waiting for him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A couple of rugs were spread on the bottom of the canoe rising over the two slanting boards which served as backs to the lowly seats.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading They are busily engaged in the preparations for the trip, and so you and I can have a snack together, and then we will go and see to the canoe.”
