used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
Bihé
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
BoernounUS /bɔːr/
a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
comprisingverbUS /kəmˈpraɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “comprise” — be composed of
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
engagingadjectiveUS /enˈɡeɪdʒɪŋ/
attracting or delighting
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
Engelbrecht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
Engelbrecht's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
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 The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
fixedlyadverb
in a fixed manner
From this reading The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
brought together in one place
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
Griqua
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
an informal term for a youth or man
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
Hottentots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
Karl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
a boy or man
From this reading The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
Minho
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
being perceived or observed
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
on one occasion
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
retinuenounUS /ˈretənuː/
the group following and attending to some important person
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Karl Engelbrecht and Minho kept themselves pretty much to themselves, sitting at their own fire, and engaging in a good deal of earnest conversation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading He noticed various circumstances as he looked about him.
villainous-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Once the big Boer got up and stretched himself, and came over to the fire at which Guy sat.
which person or people
From this reading Here were gathered the five natives comprising Engelbrecht’s retinue--a villainous-looking Griqua, who had special charge of Guy, two Hottentots, and a couple of Bihé natives.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading The Boer looked fixedly at the English lad, but said not a word to him.
