used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
arrestverbUS /ərˈest/
take into custody
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
for the reason that
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
BonyadjectiveUS /ˈboʊni/
being very thin
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
bossnounUS /bɑːs/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
a social unit living together
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
fathersnounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
housekeepingnounUS /ˈhaʊskiːpɪŋ/
the work of cleaning and running a house
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
husbandsnounUS /ˈhʌzbəndz/
plural of “husband” — a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
jailnounUS /dʒeɪl/
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
and nothing more
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
MostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
nuisancenounUS /ˈnuːsəns/
(law) a broad legal concept including anything that disturbs the reasonable use of your property or endangers life and health or is offensive
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
peacefuladjectiveUS /ˈpiːsfəl/
not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
piesnounUS /paɪz/
plural of “pie” — dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
piratenounUS /ˈpaɪrət/
someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
piratesnounUS /ˈpaɪrəts/
plural of “pirate” — someone who uses another person's words or ideas as if they were his own
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
policemannounUS /pəˈliːsmən/
a member of a police force
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
policemennounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
rangatang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
scalpnounUS /skælp/
the skin that covers the top of the head
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
be seated
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
Swatty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
(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 Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
at the time that
From this reading So when we did Swatty used to come along.
in or at the place that
From this reading But they couldn't help it, because if they didn't let him me and Bony would go where Swatty went.
whipverbUS /wɪp/
beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
whittlenounUS /ˈwɪtəl/
English aeronautical engineer who invented the jet aircraft engine (1907-1996)
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
which person or people
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Well, me and Bony used to play with girls sometimes because they let us be the husbands and fathers, and boss them around and whip the children.
wivesnounUS /waɪvz/
plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mostly he would sit and whittle until me and Bony got through, but sometimes he would be the policeman to arrest the husbands when they got drunk, or a pirate, or an Indian lurking to scalp the wives, or a 'rangatang to carry the children off.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I guess the girls wished he wouldn't come, because a 'rangatang is such an interruption to plain housekeeping, and pirates and policemen are an awful nuisance to mothers who want to bring up a peaceful family and don't want their husbands taken to jail just when the mud pies are cooked and dinner is ready.
