used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
acceptingadjectiveUS /ækˈseptɪŋ/
tolerating without protest
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
(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 Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
eagerly desirous
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
approvalnounUS /əˈpruːvəl/
the formal act of approving
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
baldadjectiveUS /bɔːld/
with no effort to conceal
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
bassnounUS /bæs/
the lowest part of the musical range
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
conveyedverbUS /kənˈveɪd/
past form of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
DespairingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsperɪŋ/
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
displayedverbUS /dɪˈspleɪd/
past form of “display” — to show, make visible or apparent
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
doubtfullyadverb
in a doubtful manner
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
ElatedadjectiveUS /ɪˈleɪtəd/
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
emblemnounUS /ˈembləm/
special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
Ermintrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
FISHINGnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
flauntingverbUS /ˈflɔːntɪŋ/
-ing form of “flaunt” — display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
forty-eightadjective
being eight more than forty
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
Gladys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
happeningsnounUS /ˈhæpənɪŋz/
plural of “happening” — an event that happens
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
only a very short time before
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
Harmon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
a message received and understood
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
immediately past
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
MOSTLYadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
narrateverbUS /ˈnereɪt/
provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
not one, and not any
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
on one occasion
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Despairing of being able to narrate all the happenings of the past forty-eight hours, he decided to narrate none, or almost none.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
piraticaladjective
characteristic of pirates
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
Pudnoun
(British) the dessert course of a meal (“pud” is used informally)
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
Sabrina's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
skull-and-cross-bones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
suppliesnounUS /səˈplaɪz/
plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Elated by the escape from Gladys Ermintrude and by this recent performance of his duty, Pud dug out the damp and crumpled pirate emblem and once more displayed it from the stern.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
TuesdaynounUS /ˈtuːzdi/
the third day of the week; the second working day
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
viewedverbUS /vjuːd/
past form of “view” — deem to be
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Tim viewed the flaunting skull-and-cross-bones doubtfully, but Harmon grinned approval, accepting it as evidence that the piratical life was at last about to begin.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
(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 When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
at the time that
From this reading When completed, the letter conveyed hardly more than the bald information that they had spent Tuesday night at Aunt Sabrina’s, that they had bought some more food supplies, that they were now on the way up the Fox River to fish for bass, and that they were all well.
in the company of; together with
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading MOSTLY FISHING With Harmon at the wheel, closely watched by an anxious Tim, Pud settled himself at the stern and wrote a letter to his mother.
