used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
the state of being absent
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
accessnounUS /ˈækses/
the right to enter
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
Baldynoun
a person whose head is bald or shaved
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
Bicknell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
having the place or position changed
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
brought together in one place
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
coins made of gold
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
instrumentalitynounUS /ˌɪnstrəmenˈtælɪti/
a subsidiary organ of government created for a special purpose
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
engage in
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
marginnounUS /ˈmɑːrdʒən/
the boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
MickeynounUS /ˈmɪki/
(ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Irish descent
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
molestverbUS /məˈlest/
harass or assault sexually; make indecent advances to
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
in motion
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
on one occasion
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
quantitynounUS /ˈkwɑːntəti/
how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
qui
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
stealverbUS /stiːl/
take without the owner's consent
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DURING THE absence of Baldy Bicknell in search of the steam man, neither Mickey nor Ethan had been disturbed by Indians.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
trappernounUS /ˈtræpər/
someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
two times
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
unawaresadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈwerz/
without forethought or plan; inadvertently
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
unceasinglyadverb
with unflagging resolve
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
underwentverbUS /ˌʌndərˈwent/
inflected form of “undergo” — pass through
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
vive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once or twice they caught sight of several moving in the distance, but they did not come near enough to molest them, doing nothing more than to keep them on the qui vive.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
washingnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋ/
the work of cleansing (usually with soap and water)
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
at the time that
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
in or at the place that
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While thus engaged, one of them was constantly running up the bank, to make sure that their old enemies did not steal upon them unawares.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They had worked unceasingly in digging the gold mine to which they had gained access through the instrumentality of the trapper.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading When they had gathered together quite a quantity of the gravel and dirt, with the yellow sand glittering through it, it was carried a short distance to the margin of the river, where it underwent the 'washing' process.
