used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
any thing at all
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
apiarynoun
a shed containing a number of beehives
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
beesnounUS /biːz/
plural of “bee” — any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
someone who is a detective
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
dweltverbUS /dwelt/
inflected form of “dwell” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
estimatesnounUS /ˈestəməts/
plural of “estimate” — an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
at any time
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
every person
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
improbableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːbəbəl/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
a message received and understood
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
legendaryadjectiveUS /ˈledʒənderi/
so celebrated as to having taken on the nature of a legend
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
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 DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
used to form the superlative
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
negro's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
negroesnounUS /ˈniːɡroʊz/
plural of “negro” — a person with African ancestry, "Negro" and "Negroid" are archaic and pejorative today
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
rangedverbUS /reɪndʒd/
past form of “range” — change or be different within limits
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
all of your experiences that determine how things appear to you
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
situatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪtʃuːeɪtɪd/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
in or at or to some place
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and three
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
turpentinenounUS /ˈtɜːrpəntaɪn/
obtained from conifers (especially pines)
From this reading DISAPPOINTMENT Joe had already made many inquiries among the turpentine negroes about Old Dick’s bees, but had not obtained any definite information.
not known
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
precisely as stated
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One man declared Old Dick had dwelt in the River Island, a tangled and almost unknown swamp thirty miles down the stream; but this was highly improbable.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were certainly somewhere down the river, and, most agreed, on the other side, but estimates of the distance ranged from five to fifty miles.
in or at the place that
From this reading Everybody had heard the story; Dick’s bees had become legendary in that district, but nobody seemed to have any idea where they had been situated.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He hoped that his cousins had been able to learn something more accurate; but in reality he had very little idea that they would ever be able to find the old negro’s apiary, or that they could do anything with it if they did.
