used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
how long something has existed
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
age-worn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
any person at all
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
an urgent or peremptory request
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
ever-presentadjective
being always present
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
fruitfuladjectiveUS /ˈfruːtfəl/
productive or conducive to producing in abundance
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
HOnounUS /hoʊ/
a trivalent metallic element of the rare earth group; occurs together with yttrium; forms highly magnetic compounds
From this reading NORTHWARD HO!
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
negronounUS /ˈniːɡroʊ/
a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
not any; not one
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
NORTHWARDadverbUS /ˈnɔːrθwərd/
in a northern direction
From this reading NORTHWARD HO!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
questionedverbUS /ˈkwestʃənd/
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
except for; apart from
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
cut with a saw
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
transport commercially
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Each morning at an early hour the age-worn black entered my cabin and told me that my bath was ready.
the act of testing something
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
unkindly-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
at the time that
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
which person or people
From this reading During some days I saw no more of the doctor, or of anyone about the ship save an old negro, who became my servant.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Those days would have been monotonous, had it not been for the ever-present sense of coming danger, of a future dark and threatening, likely to be fruitful in trial and in peril.
an affirmative
From this reading He was not an unkindly-looking man, being of a great age, and somewhat feeble in his actions; but he never opened his lips when I questioned him, and gave a plain "Yes" or "No" to any demand.
