used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
detectverbUS /dɪˈtekt/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
furnounUS /fɜːr/
the dressed hairy coat of a mammal
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
destroyed or killed
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
and nothing more
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
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 It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
a particular point in time
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
the light of the Moon
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
More'n
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
in motion
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
select carefully from a group
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
SolnounUS /sɑːl/
a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
specksnounUS /speks/
plural of “speck” — a very small spot
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
they've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
male cat
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I'm sure it was the Spanish boats," said Henry, "and I think they've given up the hunt."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "More'n likely," said Sol, "an' I guess it's about time fur us to pull across an' pick up Paul an' Tom an' Jim.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading It seemed to be an absolutely clean sweep of waters, as free from boats as if man had never come, but, after long looking, Henry thought that he could detect a half dozen specks moving southward.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was only for a moment, and then the specks were gone.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading ON THE GREAT RIVER They remained just within the edge of the forest, but, despite the lack of moonlight, they could see far over the surface of the river.
