used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
(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 But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
the act of burning something
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
the act of departing
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
ivorynounUS /ˈaɪvəri/
a hard smooth ivory colored dentine that makes up most of the tusks of elephants and walruses
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
and nothing more
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
immediately past
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
march in a procession
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
Mpoko
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
palaververb
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
plunderingnounUS /ˈplʌndərɪŋ/
the act of stealing valuable things from a place
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
with speed
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
Identical; not different.
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
sleevenounUS /sliːv/
the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
a wide scarf worn about their shoulders by women
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Come quickly,” he murmured, “there is a palaver going on behind the ruined huts, and it is about ivory.”
a special situation
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He had intended it to be the last night that he or any of the people of the village should sleep in those huts.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
tradernounUS /ˈtreɪdər/
someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
hard to endure
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
unsatisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsətɪˈsfæktəri/
not giving satisfaction
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
precisely as stated
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A VOICE IN THE FOREST Things were very unsatisfactory to the trader on the last night of his stay as a guest in the village.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was sitting by himself, trying to think of a way out of the difficulty, Mpoko stole up to him in the dark and pulled at his sleeve.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But if he carried out his first plan, and fell upon them in the dark hours just after midnight, killing, burning, and plundering, and then taking up his march to the next village to do the same thing, he would have to give up all hope of the ivory.
