used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
bathnounUS /bæθ/
a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
bedrabbled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
belliedadjectiveUS /ˈbelid/
having a belly; often used in combination
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
Brannon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
bright-topped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
buckskinnounUS /ˈbʌkskɪn/
horse of a light yellowish dun color with dark mane and tail
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
ChokingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃoʊ.kɪŋ/
Causing difficulty in breathing.
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
contrastnounUS /ˈkɑːntræst/
the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
drippedverbUS /drɪpt/
inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
fishedverbUS /fɪʃt/
past form of “fish” — seek indirectly
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
hauledverbUS /hɔːld/
past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
interpreternounUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrprətər/
someone who mediates between speakers of different languages
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
MatthewsnounUS /ˈmæθjuːz/
plural of “matthew” — (New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
muddyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌdi/
(of soil) soft and watery
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
pilotverbUS /ˈpaɪlət/
operate an airplane
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
piroguenoun
a canoe made by hollowing out and shaping a large log
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
pump-nozzles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
rowedverbUS /roʊd/
past form of “row” — propel with oars
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
shirtnounUS /ʃɜːrt/
a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
slicknounUS /slɪk/
a slippery smoothness
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
sousingnoun
the act of making something completely wet
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
spewingverbUS /sˈpjuːɪŋ/
-ing form of “spew” — expel or eject (saliva or phlegm or sputum) from the mouth
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
spurtedverbUS /ˈspɜːrtɪd/
past form of “spurt” — gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
steamer-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
straggledverbUS /ˈstræɡəld/
past form of “straggle” — wander from a direct or straight course
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
having come into contact
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
unwelcomeadjectiveUS /ənˈwelkəm/
not welcome; not giving pleasure or received with pleasure
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading His handkerchief hung upon one ear, his red shirt clung, his buckskin trousers, dark and slick from their sousing, bellied with water let in at the band; his bright-topped boots spurted like pump-nozzles, his pale hair straggled and dripped into his eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
at the time that
From this reading When the boat touched at the steamer-side, he raised himself to look back.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There, while the pilot rowed slowly to the Brannon shore, he stretched his sorry, bedrabbled figure--a figure in striking contrast to that of an hour before.
which person or people
From this reading A CHANGE IN PLAN It was Old Michael who fished the interpreter from his unwelcome bath.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Choking with rage and spewing muddy water, Matthews was hauled into the stern of a pirogue.
