used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They do look fierce, though!"
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "They don't look good to me!"
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading They do look fierce, though!"
FIRE-FACES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
fringedadjective
surrounded as with a border or fringe; sometimes used in combination
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "They don't look good to me!"
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
Jule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "They don't look good to me!"
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "They don't look good to me!"
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
prownounUS /praʊ/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
queriedverbUS /ˈkwɪrid/
inflected form of “query” — pose a question
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
secretedverbUS /səˈkriːtɪd/
past form of “secrete” — generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
squattingnounUS /ˈskwɑːtɪŋ/
exercising by repeatedly assuming a crouching position with the knees bent; strengthens the leg muscles
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
stareverbUS /ster/
look at with fixed eyes
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
in or at that place or location
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
they'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading They do look fierce, though!"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "They don't look good to me!"
tow-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "If we keep away from them," Case suggested, "and don't try to stare them out of countenance, they'll probably keep away from us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading FIRE-FACES ON THE ISLAND "What are they squatting there watching the boat for?" queried Jule, as the prow light fell full on the group of negroes on the island.
in or at the place that
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading While the boys discussed the matter the negroes moved away from the shore of the island, where they were under the boat lights, and secreted themselves behind a patch of willows which fringed the "tow-head," for the place where they were was little else.
