used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
from appearances alone
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
canoenounUS /kəˈnuː/
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
canoesnounUS /kəˈnuːz/
plural of “canoe” — small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
the act of discovering something
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
flasknounUS /flæsk/
bottle that has a narrow neck
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
gumnounUS /ɡʌm/
a preparation (usually made of sweetened chicle) for chewing
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
launchverbUS /lɔːntʃ/
set up or found
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
lumpnounUS /lʌmp/
a compact mass
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
meltedadjectiveUS /ˈmeltəd/
changed from a solid to a liquid state
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
the force of workers available
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
paddlesnounUS /ˈpædəlz/
plural of “paddle” — small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
pairsnounUS /perz/
plural of “pair” — a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
by chance
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
powdernounUS /ˈpaʊdər/
a solid substance in the form of tiny loose particles; a solid that has been pulverized
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
rewardedverbUS /rɪˈwɔːrdɪd/
past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
seamsnounUS /siːmz/
plural of “seam” — joint consisting of a line formed by joining two pieces
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
get rid of
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
in the near future
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
tinnounUS /tɪn/
a silvery malleable metallic element that resists corrosion; used in many alloys and to coat other metals to prevent corrosion; obtained chiefly from cassiterite where it occurs as tin oxide
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
torchnounUS /tɔːrtʃ/
a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
being of use or service
From this reading "Perhaps we may find something else which may prove useful," observed Martin, and he twisted up a torch from the dry reeds which grew on the bank.
precisely as stated
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading This we melted in one of our tin pots, and very soon had the canoe in a fit state to launch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were several pairs of paddles, and some cloth which could be used as a sail.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Martin, while hunting about in the shed, discovered a lump of the gum used for paying over the seams of canoes.
which person or people
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With this we thoroughly examined the cave, and our search was rewarded by the discovery of a flask of powder, apparently dropped by one of the men who had escaped from the fort.
