used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
bargesnounUS /ˈbɑːrdʒəz/
plural of “barge” — a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals)
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
a youthful male person
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
cliffnounUS /klɪf/
a steep high face of rock
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
Dunfin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
eastwardadjectiveUS /ˈiːstwərd/
moving toward the east
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
fortifyingverbUS /ˈfɔːrtɪfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “fortify” — make strong or stronger
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
freighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
geesenounUS /ɡiːs/
plural of “goose” — web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
the act of departing
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
livelieradjectiveUS /ˈlaɪvliər/
comparative of “lively” — full of life and energy
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
-ing form of “lose” — fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
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 Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
Mälar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
being perceived or observed
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
shoresnounUS /ʃɔːrz/
plural of “shore” — the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
sloops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
smacksnounUS /smæks/
plural of “smack” — a blow from a flat object (as an open hand)
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
steamersnounUS /ˈstiːmərz/
plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
in or at the place that
From this reading The boy did not know for certain where they were going; but he noticed that the farther east they flew, the livelier it was on the lake and the more built up were the shores.
a Caucasian
From this reading Heavily freighted barges and sloops, boats and fishing smacks were on their way east, and these were met and passed by many pretty white steamers.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Dunfin begged so hard that she finally had her way, although the wild geese felt that they were losing time and really should be going straight north.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So they started off one morning, after fortifying themselves with a good breakfast, and flew eastward over Lake Mälar.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But a little trip like this to the cliff island would not delay them more than a day.
