used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
caulknounUS /kɑːk/
a waterproof filler and sealant that is used in building and repair to make watertight
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
command with authority
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
EdnounUS /ed/
impotence resulting from a man's inability to have or maintain an erection of his penis
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
Ed'snounUS /edz/
possessive form of “ed” — impotence resulting from a man's inability to have or maintain an erection of his penis
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
promote over another
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
favorableadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪvərəbəl/
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
flatboats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
fractionnounUS /ˈfrækʃən/
a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
immediately past
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
lumbernounUS /ˈlʌmbər/
the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
PerrynounUS /ˈperi/
United States philosopher (1876-1957)
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
PHIL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
Raymond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
respectsnounUS /rɪˈspekts/
(often used with “pay”) a formal expression of esteem
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
scoresnounUS /skɔːrz/
a large number or amount
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
superintendverb
watch and direct
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The result was that they could build a boat for a very small fraction of their money, and Perry promised to show them how to caulk it for themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
precisely as stated
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
volunteeredverbUS /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪrd/
past form of “volunteer” — tell voluntarily
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading CAPTAIN PHIL Ed’s report was in all respects favorable to the enterprise.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
which person or people
From this reading Perry Raymond, who in the old days had built many scores of flatboats, was now too old to undertake an active enterprise.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He volunteered, as a mere matter of favor and without any charge whatever, to superintend and direct the work of the boys in building a boat for themselves.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But he told Ed, to the very last board, how much lumber would be required, and the price of every stick in it.
