Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

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

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

a quantity of money

From this reading I was surprised at the amount of news which was brought to the chiefs kraal.

occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading I was surprised at the amount of news which was brought to the chiefs kraal.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

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

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

put or send forth

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

a person who is in charge

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

plural of “chief” — a person who is in charge

From this reading I was surprised at the amount of news which was brought to the chiefs kraal.

the act of gathering something together

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

entrusted with private information and the confidence of another

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

apart from; not including

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

material resulting from the process of grinding

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

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

From this reading I was surprised at the amount of news which was brought to the chiefs kraal.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

a village of huts for native Africans in southern Africa; usually surrounded by a stockade

From this reading I was surprised at the amount of news which was brought to the chiefs kraal.

time available for ease and relaxation

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

the force of workers available

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

information about recent and important events

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

not one, and not any

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

come to pass

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

a full supply

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

likely but not certain to be or become true or real

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

the charred portion of a candlewick

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment

From this reading I was surprised at the amount of news which was brought to the chiefs kraal.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

a social division of (usually preliterate) people

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

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

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

precisely as stated

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

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

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Some of this was confidential, and was not told to any one except to the chief himself; but plenty of news came which we about the chiefs kraal heard of.

at the time that

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

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

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

a Caucasian

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I heard that the Umzimvubu Caffres, among whom my lot had been first cast, had lost many men in their fight with the white men, and had brought back very few cattle; and that it was probable that a fight might occur between the Amakosa and my old tribe.

in the company of; together with

From this reading They passed their time in making bead-ornaments, forming and ornamenting snuff-boxes for the chief, grinding up tobacco (which grew here) into snuff, and in collecting news with which to amuse the Great Chief when he was at leisure.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The Great Chief possessed twenty wives, and none of these was allowed to do any work in the fields like the wives of the common men.