used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
(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 "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
from appearances alone
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
commandernounUS /kəˈmændər/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
Desmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
characterized by great determination
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
good-sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
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 My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
and nothing more
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
select carefully from a group
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
pigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
roostverbUS /ruːst/
sit, as on a branch
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
shipwrecknounUS /ˈʃɪprek/
a wrecked ship (or a part of one)
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
southwardadverbUS /ˈsaʊθwərd/
toward the south
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
not in physical motion
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading "We have got something for supper, at all events," cried Desmond as he ran to pick up the birds and to finish off a few which were still fluttering on the ground.
supposesverbUS /səˈpoʊzɪz/
third-person singular of “suppose” — express a supposition
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
thicklyadverbUS /ˈθɪkli/
spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
male cat
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading On their way back they caught sight of a large number of good-sized birds perched thickly in a tree, apparently intending to roost there for the night.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I am determined not to give her up altogether," said Tom; "but still, if she has escaped shipwreck, I cannot account for the commander not coming to look for us.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Having drawn their bullets, they loaded with small shot, and firing into the midst of the birds, they brought down a dozen, which proved to be a species of pigeon.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading My only idea is that by some mistake or other he supposes we were lost, and that being driven a long way to the southward, he does not think it worth while to come so far out of his course."
