used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
feeling shame or guilt or embarrassment or remorse
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
Bumpus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
GIRAFFEnounUS /dʒərˈæf/
tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
HennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
hinderverbUS /ˈhɪndər/
be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
go away from a place
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
mendingnounUS /ˈmendɪŋ/
garments that must be repaired
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
and nothing more
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
patchingnounUS /ˈpætʃɪŋ/
the act of mending a hole in a garment by sewing a patch over it
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
sailingnounUS /ˈseɪlɪŋ/
the work of a sailor
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
transport commercially
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
they'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
tinkeringverbUS /ˈtɪŋkərɪŋ/
-ing form of “tinker” — do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
unfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading Bumpus wanted to know; after they had been talking the matter over for a long time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
(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, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
at the time that
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading I'm ashamed to confess to that, but it's the whole sad truth.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading GIRAFFE HAS A SCHEME "If they'd only leave us alone, why, what's to hinder us mending our own ship, and sailing away out of this, sooner or later?"
wickedlyadverbUS /ˈwɪkɪdli/
in a wicked evil manner
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Well, I'd be only too willing, if I knew how," instantly flashed back the other, "but unfortunately my education was neglected when it came to patching up boats, and tinkering with machinery.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I suppose you'll do the mending part, Bumpus?" demanded Step Hen, wickedly.
