used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He had not seen this old man since his return to the city.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
divisible by two
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had not seen this old man since his return to the city.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
Johnny'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːniz/
possessive form of “johnny” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had not seen this old man since his return to the city.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
on one occasion
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
ownedadjectiveUS /oʊnd/
having an owner; often used in combination
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He had not seen this old man since his return to the city.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
seaworthyadjectiveUS /ˈsiːwɔːrði/
fit for a sea voyage
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading He had not seen this old man since his return to the city.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He had not seen this old man since his return to the city.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the earlier days of Johnny’s experiences on the Chicago river, he had made many strange friends.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
wharfnounUS /wɔːrf/
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading This boat had been kept in a small brick structure close to the base of a wharf.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
in or at the place that
From this reading The old man had once shown Johnny where he kept the key and had told him to help himself to the boat whenever he needed it for a short trip.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
which person or people
From this reading Among them was an old man who owned a boat, a clumsy but quite seaworthy craft in which he was accustomed to paddle about the river and at times even on the lake.
