used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
(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 I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
believingnounUS /bɪˈliːvɪŋ/
the cognitive process that leads to convictions
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
coolies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
give a description of
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
divisible by two
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
apart from; not including
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
fisherynounUS /ˈfɪʃəri/
a workplace where fish are caught and processed and sold
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
a young female
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
haphazardadjectiveUS /hæpˈhæzərd/
dependent upon or characterized by chance
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
lawmakernounUS /ˈlɔːmeɪkər/
a maker of laws; someone who gives a code of laws
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
past form of “obey” — be obedient to
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
on one occasion
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
in other respects or ways
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
participate in games or sport
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
rejectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈdʒektɪd/
rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
precisely, exactly
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
roughenedadjective
used of skin roughened as a result of cold or exposure
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
express in words
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
sweetheartnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrt/
a person loved by another person
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
carry out
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is hard for a man roughened as I have become to describe that girl; so I shall not try, except to say that all sense of fair play left me, and that I had not been in her presence five minutes before I was down on my knees, begging to be taken back.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
which person or people
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I had made the suggestion at haphazard, but he became interested at once, asked me all about my pearl fishery, and the gang of coolies who obeyed me as a king, and said he would think it over.
a late time of life
From this reading I left him then; and believing that even as a rejected lover I had a right to see my old sweetheart once in ten years, I called upon her.
you'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then you'd better take him down to my island, where I am the law and the lawmaker.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Otherwise your life will be short and your wife a young widow."
