used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
ALASKAnounUS /əˈlæskə/
a state in northwestern North America; the 49th state admitted to the union
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Yes, I am sure this is the same cabin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
the two together, not just one
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading What did he want of the plans?"
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
FISHINGnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
glaciernounUS /ˈɡleɪʃər/
a slowly moving mass of ice
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
coins made of gold
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What did he want of the plans?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, I am sure this is the same cabin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
manufactureverbUS /ˌmænjəˈfæktʃər/
put together out of artificial or natural components or parts
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
minernounUS /ˈmaɪnər/
laborer who works in a mine
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
the possibility of future success
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
regardsnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdz/
plural of “regard” — (usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
Identical; not different.
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading At any rate, the description is perfect, both as regards the structure and the surroundings."
carry out
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading What did he want of the plans?"
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What did he want of the plans?"
which person or people
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "I may be somewhat dense," George went on, "but I can't understand why a miner who is fool enough to prospect for gold on a dead glacier should take pains to conceal plans concerning the manufacture of a machine.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, I am sure this is the same cabin.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading FISHING IN ALASKA "Are you sure this is the same cabin?" asked George.
