used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
anew
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
ardornounUS /ˈɑːrdər/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
BillingsnounUS /ˈbɪlɪŋz/
the largest city in Montana; located in southern Montana on the Yellowstone river
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
bluffedverbUS /blʌft/
past form of “bluff” — deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
chinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading “Imagine, Doctor, such a spectacle!
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
exhibitingverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
framesnounUS /freɪmz/
plural of “frame” — the framework for a pair of eyeglasses
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
harmonicas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading “Imagine, Doctor, such a spectacle!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
jew's-harps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
LeydennounUS /ˈlaɪdən/
a city in the western Netherlands; residence of the Pilgrim Fathers for 11 years before they sailed for America in 1620
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
operanounUS /ˈɑːprə/
a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
packingnounUS /ˈpækɪŋ/
any material used especially to protect something
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
Putney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
refreshedadjectiveUS /riˈfreʃt/
with restored energy
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
romanadjectiveUS /ˈroʊmən/
relating to or characteristic of people of Rome
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
savagesnounUS /ˈsævədʒəz/
plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
slackadjectiveUS /slæk/
not tense or taut
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
in the near future
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
spoutedverbUS /ˈspaʊtɪd/
past form of “spout” — gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
not in physical motion
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “Imagine, Doctor, such a spectacle!
swimminglyadverb
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
UniversitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəti/
the body of faculty and students at a university
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Leyden paused and chuckled into his pipe until the sparks spouted from the big china bowl like a roman candle.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
in or at the place that
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The interest of the natives had begun to flag slightly, but I had refreshed it by serving out the harmonicas and jew’s-harps—a step which I soon regretted, as my camp became a nightmare of sound.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
whippedverbUS /wɪpt/
inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod
From this reading A fortnight later, business becoming slack again, I served out the opera hats, and whipped up their ardor still further by exhibiting the spectacle frames.”
but in spite of that
From this reading “Things went on swimmingly for a while; the savages brought me in specimens of every description; my packing cases were becoming filled, and it looked as if, where my part of it was concerned, Billings University might yet have Putney University ‘bluffed off the boards.’
