used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
abscondingverbUS /æbˈskɑːndɪŋ/
-ing form of “abscond” — run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
adversarynounUS /ˈædvərseri/
someone who offers opposition
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
in addition
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "From the bottom of a well," said an Irishman.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
inflected form of “behold” — see with attention
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
Belton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
the lower side of anything
From this reading "From the bottom of a well," said an Irishman.
Botts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
a youthful male person
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
BraggnounUS /bræɡ/
Confederate general during the American Civil War who was defeated by Grant in the battle of Chattanooga (1817-1876)
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
convertedverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪd/
past form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
give a description of
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
doomverbUS /duːm/
decree or designate beforehand
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
infamynounUS /ˈɪnfəmi/
a state of extreme dishonor
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
IrishmannounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of Ireland
From this reading "From the bottom of a well," said an Irishman.
issuingnounUS /ˈɪʃuːɪŋ/
the act of providing an item for general use or for official purposes (usually in quantity)
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
kitenounUS /kaɪt/
a bank check that has been fraudulently altered to increase its face value
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
not able to be found
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
a particular point in time
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
perfectionnounUS /pərˈfekʃən/
the state of being without a flaw or defect
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
placardsnounUS /ˈplækərdz/
plural of “placard” — a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
plural of “power” — possession of controlling influence
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
slimyadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪmi/
covered with or resembling slime
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
sworeverbUS /swɔːr/
inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
male cat
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
Toney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Toney and Tom were also astonished at the sudden and strange appearance of the missing man.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
(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 "From the bottom of a well," said an Irishman.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
at the time that
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
in or at the place that
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The placards, in which he was about to doom his absconding adversary to eternal infamy, dropped from his hand, and were picked up by a boy, and converted into the tail for a kite.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would require the perfection of language to describe the amazement of Captain Bragg when he beheld a slimy figure, looking like one of the powers by whom he continually swore, and heard a voice issuing from its ugly lips, and saying "I am Botts."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading After a moment of silence, Belton said,-- "Where did you come from?"
