Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

(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 Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

placed in a grave

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

a person who is in charge

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

a natural object that covers or envelops

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

causing distress or worry or anxiety

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic (northern Canada or Greenland or Alaska or eastern Siberia); the Algonquians called them Eskimo (“eaters of raw flesh”) but they call themselves the Inuit (“the people”)

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

the act of acquiring something

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

past form of “happen” — come to pass

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

past form of “hoist” — raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

attach a tag or label to

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

the force of workers available

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

(baseball) the slight elevation on which the pitcher stands

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

above and across; more than

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

by chance

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

a separate part of a whole

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

To recall to mind.

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

precisely, exactly

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

filled with satisfaction

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

a thing, without saying which

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

plural of “surmise” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

in a thoughtful manner

From this reading "Perhaps to keep the bears from getting at him," returned the Indian thoughtfully, "or, it may be, to show him great respect."

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

the upper part of anything

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

plural of “trader” — someone who purchases and maintains an inventory of goods to be sold

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

badly timed

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

employed in accomplishing something

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Perhaps the chief of the big canoe died and was buried here, and they hoisted the red cloth over him to mark the place."

at the time that

From this reading "I remember," he said to Cheenbuk, "that the traders used to hoist a piece of cloth to the top of a pole like this, at times, when something of importance happened.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading "My father may be right," observed the Eskimo; "but why did they put such a heap of stones above him?"

in the company of; together with

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Resting satisfied with these surmises, the two men returned to their encampment without disturbing the mound, which was, in all probability, a cairn covering a record of the expedition which had come to such an untimely end.