used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
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 A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
fatiguedadjectiveUS /fəˈtiːɡd/
drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
the act of departing
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
minesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
mutton-chops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/
a clergyman who watches over a group of people
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
not in physical motion
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He gave a still stronger proof of his confidence and friendship.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It consisted of mutton-chops, potatoes, bread, and coffee, and they were prepared, notwithstanding their hearty supper of the night before, to do full justice to it.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The shepherd had got over his first impression, and nothing could be more friendly than his manner toward them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
precisely as stated
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE Though the boys were very much fatigued, they were up in time for an early breakfast the next morning.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “So you think of going to the mines, my lads,” he said.
