used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
BORROWSverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊz/
third-person singular of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
claimsnounUS /kleɪmz/
plural of “claim” — an assertion of a right (as to money or property)
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
well in the past; former
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
elusiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈluːsɪv/
difficult to describe
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
at any time
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Such was their existence.
flounderingverbUS /ˈflaʊndərɪŋ/
-ing form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
set up or found
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
intricateadjectiveUS /ˈɪntrəkət/
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
used to form the superlative
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
and nothing more
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
pathsnounUS /pæðz/
plural of “path” — a course of conduct
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
punctualitynounUS /ˌpʌŋktʃuːˈælɪti/
the quality or habit of adhering to an appointed time
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
refuse-heaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
SCIPIOnounUS /ˈsɪpioʊ/
Roman general who commanded the invasion of Carthage in the second Punic War and defeated Hannibal at Zama (circa 237-183 BC)
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Such was their existence.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
supportedadjectiveUS /səˈpɔːrtɪd/
sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
trackingnounUS /ˈtrækɪŋ/
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
TradesnounUS /treɪdz/
plural of “trade” — the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
urgentadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrdʒənt/
compelling immediate action
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Such was their existence.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading SCIPIO BORROWS A HORSE Scipio found an almost deserted camp after floundering his way over the intricate paths amongst the refuse-heaps.
at the time that
From this reading The camp claimed them only when their day's work was done; for the rest, it supported only their most urgent needs.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The miners had departed to their claims with a punctuality that suggested Trades Union principles.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They ate to live; they lived to work, ever tracking the elusive metal to the earth's most secret places.
