used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
for the reason that
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
carvedadjectiveUS /kɑːrvd/
made for or formed by carving (“carven” is archaic or literary)
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
cedarnounUS /ˈsiːdər/
any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
flounderingverbUS /ˈflaʊndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
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 high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
the force of workers available
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
poled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
portagenounUS /ˈpɔːrtədʒ/
the cost of carrying or transporting
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
RAPIDadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
rudelyadverbUS /ˈruːdli/
in an impolite manner
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
Siwash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
trackedadjectiveUS /trækt/
having tracks
From this reading Sometimes they tracked the canoes, floundering along the rough bank with a line round their shoulders; sometimes they poled against the rapid stream; and now and then carried the craft and cargo across a rocky portage.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
upsidenounUS /ˈʌpˈsaɪd/
the highest or uppermost side of anything
From this reading They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The high bow was rudely carved like a bird's head; the floor was long and flat.
(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 They paddled well and a strong man could carry one, upside down, on his bent shoulders.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The canoes were of the Siwash type, cut out of cedar logs and burned smooth outside.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE RAPID In the morning Jim started with three canoes and a few Indians whom he had engaged at the settlement, because the Siwash are clever river men.
