used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
conceivedverbUS /kənˈsiːvd/
past form of “conceive” — have the idea for
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
permission to do something
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
drilledadjectiveUS /drɪld/
trained in a skill by repetitious practice
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
ESKIMOnounUS /ˈeskəmoʊ/
a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic (northern Canada or Greenland or Alaska or eastern Siberia); the Algonquians called them Eskimo (“eaters of raw flesh”) but they call themselves the Inuit (“the people”)
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
divisible by two
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
executionnounUS /ˌeksəˈkjuːʃən/
putting a condemned person to death
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
set up or found
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
the act of departing
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
MILITIAnounUS /məˈlɪʃə/
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
missionarynounUS /ˈmɪʃəneri/
someone who attempts to convert others to a particular doctrine or program
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
missionary's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
on one occasion
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
overcomingverbUS /ˈoʊvərkʌmɪŋ/
-ing form of “overcome” — win a victory over
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
PHIL'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
past form of “proceed” — continue talking
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
with speed
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
on the contrary
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
an educational institution
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
SergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
carry out
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
tribenounUS /traɪb/
a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
a source of difficulty
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
unrulyadjectiveUS /ənˈruːli/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
precisely as stated
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nothing more nor less than to form the unruly boys into a military company.
(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 He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
at the time that
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Phil learned of this difficulty he conceived a plan for overcoming it, which, with the missionary’s consent, he at once proceeded to put into execution.
which person or people
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The missionary had always found more or less trouble with the older Indian boys, who were almost ready to take their place in the tribe as hunters, and so felt themselves rather above going to school with the children.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading PHIL’S ESKIMO MILITIA Phil and Serge dropped very easily into the life of the mission, and quickly became interested in its work.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He had been an officer in his own school company at New London, and even Serge had become fairly well drilled during the year he had spent there.
