used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
(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 "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
the two together, not just one
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
the lower side of anything
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
greatly pleased
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
fiddlenounUS /ˈfɪdəl/
bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
Fiddler'snounUS /ˈfɪdələrz/
possessive form of “fiddler” — a musician who plays the violin
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
fiddlesnounUS /ˈfɪdəlz/
plural of “fiddle” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
HanksnounUS /hæŋks/
United States film actor (born in 1956)
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
not in action or at work
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
irresistiblyadverbUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbli/
incapable of being resisted
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
engage in
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
the force of workers available
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
mooredverbUS /mʊrd/
past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
performancenounUS /pərˈfɔːrməns/
a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
participate in games or sport
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
any competition
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
on the contrary
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
scholarnounUS /ˈskɒl.ər/
A specialist in a particular branch of study; a distinguished student.
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
scientificadjectiveUS /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/
of or relating to the practice of science
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
scrapingnounUS /ˈskreɪpɪŋ/
(usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
shipmatesnounUS /ˈʃɪpmeɪts/
plural of “shipmate” — an associate on the same ship with you
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
precisely as stated
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
at the time that
From this reading My performance was not very scientific, certainly; but I learned to play, after some months' scraping, many a merry tune, such as would make the men kick up their heels irresistibly when they heard it.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Whenever duty permitted us, our fiddles were never idle.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Faith, with all my heart, Hanks; and the sooner I begin then, the better."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
Yarmouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hanks was delighted at gaining so willing a scholar, though I suspect our shipmates would rather have had us both securely moored at the bottom of Fiddler's Race, off Yarmouth.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Is it to learn the fiddle you mean?" said I.
