used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
balenounUS /beɪl/
a large bundle bound for storage or transport
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
give a benediction to
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
without stop or interruption
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
cotton-burning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
drainedadjectiveUS /dreɪnd/
emptied or exhausted of (as by drawing off e.g. water or other liquid)
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
one or the other of two
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
an opposing military force
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
gourdnounUS /ɡɔːrd/
bottle made from the dried shell of a bottle gourd
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
haulverbUS /hɔːl/
draw slowly or heavily
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
haven't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
not accessible to view
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
the force of workers available
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
no person; not anyone
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
by chance
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
profitingverbUS /ˈprɑːfətɪŋ/
-ing form of “profit” — derive a benefit from
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
Rodney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I haven’t a bale to bless myself with,” replied Rodney.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
in or at or to some place
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
express in words
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
wagonsnounUS /ˈwæɡənz/
plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But if it is in such a bad place that we can’t get it out, of course we shall have to burn it to keep the enemy from profiting by it.
(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 “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
in or at the place that
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I am not exactly on a cotton-burning expedition either,” continued the captain, after he had drained the gourd which one of his men brought him, filled with water fresh from the well, “but I am ordered to look around and find it, so that I can tell whether or not it will pay the government to send out wagons to haul it in.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Perhaps not, but your father has; several of them,” said the officer with a smile.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading I understand that there is a good deal of cotton hidden about here somewhere, but I hope yours is where nobody will find it.”
