used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
in addition
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
Coacoochee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
past form of “command” — be in command of
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
CreolenounUS /ˈkriːoʊl/
a person of European descent born in the West Indies or Latin America
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
designsnounUS /dɪˈzaɪnz/
plural of “design” — the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
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 At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
Emathla's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
haltverbUS /hɔːlt/
cause to stop
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
heednounUS /hiːd/
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
of the present time and place
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
JeffersnounUS /ˈdʒefərz/
United States poet who wrote about California (1887-1962)
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
and nothing more
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
held or filled or in use
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
slave-catcher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
SLAVE-CATCHERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
squarelyadverbUS /ˈskwerli/
directly and without evasion; not roundabout
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
Troup
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
wanderingsnounUS /ˈwɑːndərɪŋz/
plural of “wandering” — travelling about without any clear destination
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading It was Troup Jeffers, the slave-catcher, who had been watching the lads for some time and awaiting just such an opportunity as the present for carrying out his evil designs.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading At length in the early dusk of evening they set forth on their return to Philip Emathla's camp, conversing eagerly as they walked concerning what they had seen.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
which person or people
From this reading So occupied were they that they paid little heed to their immediate surroundings, and as they gained the outskirts of the town were startled at being commanded to halt by a man who had approached them unobserved.
belonging to which person
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE SLAVE-CATCHERS AT WORK The following day was also passed by Coacoochee and Louis in pleasant wanderings about the quaint little city whose every sight and sound was to them so full of novel interest.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What's your name?" he demanded, placing himself squarely in front of the young Creole.
