used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
boldly-written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Then the following brief dialogue took place:
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
CiviladjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
CommissionernounUS /kəˈmɪʃənər/
a government administrator
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
gotten under control
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
coollyadverbUS /ˈkuːli/
in a composed and unconcerned manner
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
DeputynounUS /ˈdepjəti/
someone authorized to exercise the powers of sheriff in emergencies
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
dialoguenounUS /ˈdaɪəlɔːɡ/
a conversation between two persons
From this reading Then the following brief dialogue took place:
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
effectsnounUS /ɪˈfekts/
property of a personal character that is portable but not used in business
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
go or come after and bring or take back
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Then the following brief dialogue took place:
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
Gueldersdorp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Smoots nodded heavily.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
easily agitated
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
not any; not one
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading Smoots nodded heavily.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Then the following brief dialogue took place:
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
put a saddle on
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
scrawledverbUS /skrɔːld/
past form of “scrawl” — write carelessly
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
sergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
smeltnounUS /smelt/
small cold-water silvery fish; migrate between salt and fresh water
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
Smoots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
required or under orders
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the following brief dialogue took place:
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Then the following brief dialogue took place:
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
treknounUS /trek/
a journey by ox wagon (especially an organized migration by a group of settlers)
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
trekkingverbUS /ˈtrekɪŋ/
inflected form of “trek” — journey on foot, especially in the mountains
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The sergeant, sitting easily in the saddle, looked at the boldly-written direction on the envelope, and smelt no rats--at least until he coolly opened the supposed letter.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
veldnoun
elevated open grassland in southern Africa
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The scrawled sheet of paper it contained was a surprise, but he did not let Smoots see that.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
which person or people
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You were trekking up to Gueldersdorp," he said to the decidedly nervous Smoots, "to fetch down a Deputy Civil Commissioner to deal with the effects of a dead English traveller, at a house kept by the man who wrote this letter--that is, three days' trek over the veld to the southward, and called the Free State Hotel?"
