used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
abandonverbUS /əˈbændən/
forsake, leave behind
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
AdriannounUS /ˈeɪdriən/
Roman Emperor who was the adoptive son of Trajan; travelled throughout his empire to strengthen its frontiers and encourage learning and architecture; on a visit to Britain in 122 he ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall (76-138)
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
(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 The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
CardiffnounUS /ˈkɑːrdɪf/
the capital and largest city of Wales
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
DIGGINGnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
having the place or position changed
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
exceptingverbUS /ˌekˈseptɪŋ/
-ing form of “except” — take exception to
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
brought together in one place
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
the act of departing
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
Kimball's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
the force of workers available
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
a form of address for a man
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
information about recent and important events
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
and nothing more
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
a human being
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
plottersnounUS /ˈplɑːtərz/
plural of “plotter” — a planner who draws up a personal scheme of action
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
progressedverbUS /prəˈɡrest/
past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
rejoicedverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪst/
past form of “rejoice” — feel happiness or joy
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
Roger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
shaftnounUS /ʃæft/
a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
slantverbUS /slænt/
lie obliquely
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
spring-glade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
surveyornounUS /sərˈveɪər/
an engineer who determines the boundaries and elevations of land or structures
From this reading The surveyor decided on going straight down, instead of in at a slant, which he had at first believed best.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The digging progressed slowly, as only a small shaft was to be sunk, and but one man could work in it at a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
Vanter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The good news had gone all over Cardiff, and there was not a person, excepting the plotters, but what rejoiced at Mr. Kimball's fortune in saving his land.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
which person or people
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Roger and Adrian watched the operations with interest, as did a throng of people, who were not disturbed as they gathered about the spot.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading DIGGING FOR SALT Early the next morning Mr. Vanter went to the spring-glade, and started the two men at work, sinking the shaft, which they had to abandon so suddenly the day before.
