used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
(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 The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
in addition
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
being joined in close association
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
blisteredverbUS /ˈblɪstərd/
past form of “blister” — get blistered
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
blistersnounUS /ˈblɪstərz/
plural of “blister” — a flaw on a surface resulting when an applied substance does not adhere (as an air bubble in a coat of paint)
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
put or send forth
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
gotten under control
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
fisherynounUS /ˈfɪʃəri/
a workplace where fish are caught and processed and sold
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
Floyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
initiativenounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃətɪv/
readiness to embark on bold new ventures
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
invaluableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvæljəbəl/
having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
go away from a place
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
most important element
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
the cloak as a symbol of authority
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
MOSTLYadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
overseeverbUS /ˈoʊvərsiː/
watch and direct
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
overseernounUS /ˈoʊvərˈsiːər/
a person who directs and manages an organization
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
oysternounUS /ˈɔɪstər/
marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
pearlnounUS /pɜːrl/
a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
pearlingverbUS /ˈpɜːrlɪŋ/
-ing form of “pearl” — gather pearls, from oysters in the ocean
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
PEARLSnounUS /pɜːrlz/
plural of “pearl” — a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
plankingnounUS /ˈplæŋkɪŋ/
planks collectively; a quantity of planks
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
postsnounUS /poʊsts/
plural of “post” — the position where someone (as a guard or sentry) stands or is assigned to stand
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
concerned with actual use or practice
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
presentingverbUS /prɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
satisfactoryadjectiveUS /ˌsætəˈsfæktri/
giving satisfaction
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
scarsnounUS /skɑːrz/
plural of “scar” — a mark left (usually on the skin) by the healing of injured tissue
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
Schumer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
shapingnounUS /ˈʃeɪpɪŋ/
any process serving to define the shape of something
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
Sru
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was well that Schumer had some practical knowledge of pearling, or these blistered shells might have been cast with the others.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading MOSTLY ABOUT PEARLS It took them a fortnight to get the main posts up and the planking started.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sru, despite his looks and his scars, was shaping well also as an overseer, and the pearls were showing in a satisfactory manner.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
workernounUS /ˈwɜːrkər/
a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading Joe proved himself an invaluable worker, with initiative enough to oversee the others, so that both Schumer and Floyd could leave him and give their attention to the fishery and the pearl getting.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The pearls taken hitherto by Schumer and Floyd working alone were all free pearls contained in the substance of the oyster or lying loose under the mantle; now began to come in pearls attached to the shell and shells presenting blisters.
