used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
balingverbUS /ˈbeɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “bale” — make into a bale
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the lower side of anything
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
unvarying in nature
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
travel across or pass over
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
characterized by great determination
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
flat-bottomedadjective
having a flat bottom
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR PURSUIT.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
the act of departing
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
leakyadjectiveUS /ˈliːki/
permitting the unwanted passage of fluids or gases
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the force of workers available
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
and nothing more
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
PREPARATIONSnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR PURSUIT.
puntverbUS /pʌnt/
kick the ball
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading PREPARATIONS FOR PURSUIT.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
recross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
removeverbUS /riˈmuːv/
remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
saddlesnounUS /ˈsædəlz/
plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
StevensonnounUS /ˈstiːvənsən/
Scottish author (1850-1894)
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
swags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
transportingverbUS /trænˈspɔːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “transport” — move something or somebody around; usually over long distances
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The reason Stevenson had not used it to paddle down to the bottom of the island (a mile off) was the necessity of constant baling to keep it afloat in going such a distance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
(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 As I lay watching their movements, as well as the darkness permitted, I suddenly remembered that there was a canoe, or little punt, a miserable, leaky, flat-bottomed affair, lying under the bank before me.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I was determined the thieves should not have her for transporting their saddles and swags, and went forward to remove her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Merely to cross and recross the stream she would do well enough, as she would carry two men.
