used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mackenzie was as weak as a young mouse.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
in the past
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mackenzie was as weak as a young mouse.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
blinkingadjectiveUS /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/
closing the eyes intermittently and rapidly
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
chawed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
DadnounUS /dæd/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
deliriumnounUS /dɪˈlɪriəm/
state of violent mental agitation
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
set up or found
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
hangin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
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 Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
MackenzienounUS /məˈkenzi/
Canadian explorer (born in England) who explored the Mackenzie River and who was first to cross North America by land north of Mexico (1764-1820)
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Mackenzie was as weak as a young mouse.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
on one occasion
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
and nothing more
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
PHANTOMSnounUS /ˈfæntəmz/
plural of “phantom” — a ghostly appearing figure
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
redeemverbUS /rɪˈdiːm/
save from sins
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
sheep-wagon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
the rays of the sun
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
up to a particular time
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
understandinglyadverb
with understanding
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Mackenzie was as weak as a young mouse.
(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 Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
at the time that
From this reading PHANTOMS OF FEVER "That was ten or twelve days ago," Dad explained, when Mackenzie found himself blinking understandingly at the sunlight through the open end of the sheep-wagon one morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He closed his eyes and lay thinking back over those days of delirium through which a gleam of understanding fell only once in a while.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Dad evidently believed that he was well now, from his manner and speech, although Mackenzie knew that if his life depended on rising and walking from the wagon he would not be able to redeem it at the price.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You was chawed and beat up till you was hangin' together by threads."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mackenzie was as weak as a young mouse.
