used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “There ye are, my gentlemen,” he said cheerfully.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
beefnounUS /biːf/
cattle that are reared for their meat
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
captorsnounUS /ˈkæptərz/
plural of “captor” — a person who captures and holds people or animals
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
cart's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading “There ye are, my gentlemen,” he said cheerfully.
compassnounUS /ˈkʌmpəs/
navigational instrument for finding directions
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
docksnounUS /dɑːks/
plural of “dock” — an enclosure in a court of law where the defendant sits during the trial
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
opinion or judgment
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
frailer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading “There ye are, my gentlemen,” he said cheerfully.
gutteringverbUS /ˈɡʌtərɪŋ/
-ing form of “gutter” — burn unsteadily, feebly, or low; flicker
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
hand-cart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
INKLINGnounUS /ˈɪŋklɪŋ/
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
immediately past
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
lugged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
merchandisenounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃəndaɪz/
commodities offered for sale
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
a particular point in time
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
perceivingverbUS /pərˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “perceive” — to become aware of through the senses
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
Peter'snounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
porknounUS /pɔːrk/
meat from a domestic hog or pig
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
precariouslyadverbUS /prɪˈkeriəsli/
in a precarious manner
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
proddedverbUS /ˈprɑːdɪd/
inflected form of “prod” — to push against gently
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
restrictedadjectiveUS /riˈstrɪktəd/
subject to restriction or subjected to restriction
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
precisely, exactly
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “There ye are, my gentlemen,” he said cheerfully.
cut with a saw
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
squeezedverbUS /skwiːzd/
past form of “squeeze” — to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
having a supporting base
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
tarpaulinnoun
waterproofed canvas
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “There ye are, my gentlemen,” he said cheerfully.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The next moment my captors lugged me into the darkness of the garden and pushed me upon a hand-cart such as was used to fetch up the frailer kinds of merchandise from the docks.
wanadjectiveUS /wɑːn/
(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Peter’s immense body already occupied most of the cart’s cramped space, and I was squeezed precariously between him and the near side, the which Silver perceiving he prodded Peter into a more restricted compass and then spread a tarpaulin over both of us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN INKLING OF THE PLOT My poor father’s face, with the tears standing in his eyes, was the last object I saw in the wan light of the guttering candles.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading “There ye are, my gentlemen,” he said cheerfully.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Safe as a round of beef and a side o’ pork, says you--and you says right.
