used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
abundantadjectiveUS /əˈbʌndənt/
present in great quantity
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
(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 It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
beltnounUS /belt/
endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
blights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
CalifornianounUS /ˌkæləˈfɔːrnjə/
a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
derangedadjectiveUS /dɪˈreɪndʒd/
driven insane
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
an act that fails
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
Fenn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
FindersnounUS /ˈfaɪndərz/
plural of “finder” — someone who comes upon something after searching
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
fruit-growers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
obtain
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
coins made of gold
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
Manville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
PerilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
prospectornounUS /ˈprɔːspektər/
someone who explores an area for mineral deposits
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
salt-plains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
samplesnounUS /ˈsæmpəlz/
plural of “sample” — a small part of something intended as representative of the whole
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
startsnounUS /stɑːrts/
plural of “start” — the beginning of anything
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Peril Finders, by George Manville Fenn.
in or at that place or location
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
hard to endure
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
the topmost one of two
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
precisely as stated
From this reading ________________________________________________________________________ This is a long and excellent book, though a rare one, and is George Manville Fenn at his very best.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading One day an aged and deranged old prospector comes there, having walked in from the mountains and salt-plains, many hundreds of miles away.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
in or at the place that
From this reading It starts in California, where several settlers had been trying to gain a living as fruit-growers, but the various blights and insects were getting the upper hand, and failure was in the air all round.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He has a belt with some excellent samples of gold, and a story that there are ancient cities out there, where gold is abundant.
