used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His talk about dykes and sluices did not amuse her.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
amuseverbUS /əˈmjuːz/
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
From this reading His talk about dykes and sluices did not amuse her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
eagerly desirous
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
creeksnounUS /kriːks/
plural of “creek” — a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
drainingadjectiveUS /ˈdreɪnɪŋ/
having a debilitating effect
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
duckverbUS /dʌk/
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
dykesnounUS /daɪks/
plural of “dyke” — (slang) offensive term for a lesbian who is noticeably masculine
From this reading His talk about dykes and sluices did not amuse her.
Evelyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
flocknounUS /flɑːk/
a church congregation guided by a pastor
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
set up or found
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
goosenounUS /ɡuːs/
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His talk about dykes and sluices did not amuse her.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
marshnounUS /mɑːrʃ/
low-lying wet land with grassy vegetation; usually is a transition zone between land and water
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
the time between one event, process, or period and another
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
many times at short intervals
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
select carefully from a group
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
poundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
punt-gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
determined
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As a rule, he was preoccupied and quiet, and Evelyn often found him dull.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
shooting-punt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
sluices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His talk about dykes and sluices did not amuse her.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading His talk about dykes and sluices did not amuse her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
propel through the air
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He liked to pick out his birds and not throw a pound of shot into a flock.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
the act of using
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the meantime, he pushed on the draining of the marsh, and although he spent anxious hours counting the cost, resolved to hold out until the job was done.
at the time that
From this reading FOOTSTEPS IN THE SAND Jim had a shooting-punt built, and now and then when the tide served at night, paddled up the creeks and shot a goose or duck, although he did not use a big punt-gun.
