used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
at or in the front
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
axenounUS /æks/
an edge tool with a heavy bladed head mounted across a handle
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
BowlinenounUS /ˈboʊlaɪn/
a loop knot that neither slips nor jams
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
Bucephalus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
cordin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
disnounUS /dɪs/
(Roman mythology) god of the underworld; counterpart of Greek Hades
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
an old word for “before”
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
at any time
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
haid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
knottyadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːti/
making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
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 ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
on one occasion
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
perspicuitynoun
clarity as a consequence of being perspicuous
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
precisely, exactly
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
any member of a ship's crew
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
in the near future
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
express in words
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I don't know what that 'ere is, and I don't believe I ever had any, but it ain't the right road 'cordin' to the course," returned the sailor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Hearing voices ahead of them they pushed on, and soon came across the old sailor, Ben Bowline, and the acting head cook, Bucephalus, discussing some knotty point.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading They took the axe along, not knowing but they might want it, and set out in high spirits.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading ADVENTURES IN THE WOODS One day not so long afterwards the boys returned to shore, but at a different place than they had been before, and set out on a walk through the woods toward the hill, which they had never managed to get to before, although they had tried it more than once.
yo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah tell yo' dis am not de way," said the negro in a very positive tone, "an' any one what has any perspicuity in his haid will tell yo' so."
