used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
bladenounUS /bleɪd/
especially a leaf of grass or the broad portion of a leaf as distinct from the petiole
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
BrushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
buffalonounUS /ˈbʌfəloʊ/
large shaggy-haired brown bison of North American plains
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
carvingnounUS /ˈkɑːrvɪŋ/
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a desired shape
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
deftadjectiveUS /deft/
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
EdwinnounUS /ˈedwən/
king of Northumbria who was converted to Christianity (585-633)
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
jack-knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
and nothing more
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
keennessnoun
a quick and penetrating intelligence
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
immediately past
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
and nothing more
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
ploughnounUS /plaʊ/
a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
ploughsnounUS /plaʊz/
plural of “plough” — a group of seven bright stars in the constellation Ursa Major
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
razornounUS /ˈreɪzər/
edge tool used in shaving
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
scrapeverbUS /skreɪp/
scratch repeatedly
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
shapelessadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪpləs/
having no definite form or distinct shape
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
carry out
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
toolnounUS /tuːl/
an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
toynounUS /tɔɪ/
an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading "Brush, that's pretty good, it's just like the ploughs I've seen," I remarked as I passed the toy to Edwin.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
triumphantadjectiveUS /traɪˈʌmfənt/
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
twistsnounUS /twɪsts/
plural of “twist” — an unforeseen development
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
WarrennounUS /ˈwɔːrən/
United States writer and poet (1905-1989)
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
whittlernoun
someone who whittles (usually as an idle pastime)
From this reading Warren Brush was a genius as a whittler.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had only one tool, and that was a rusty jack-knife with a single broken blade, and that blade was kept sharp almost to the keenness of a razor.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He had just now finished a little plough which he had been carving for some time, and we, the Middle five, sat in the shade of a tree noisily discussing the accuracy of the work.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would take a shapeless piece of wood, out here, out there, scrape at one place, then at another, and go through a series of twists and turns of his strong, deft hands, and at last, with a triumphant smile, hold up to view a wooden horse, buffalo, or some other animal.
