used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
(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 story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
in addition
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
BellenounUS /bel/
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
the two together, not just one
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
collectingnounUS /kəˈlektɪŋ/
the act of gathering something together
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
commotionnounUS /kəˈmoʊʃən/
a disorderly outburst or tumult
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
not accessible to view
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
Frank'snounUS /fræŋks/
possessive form of “frank” — a member of the ancient Germanic peoples who spread from the Rhine into the Roman Empire in the 4th century
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
the middle of the day
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
OaklandnounUS /ˈoʊklənd/
a city in western California on San Francisco Bay opposite San Francisco; primarily and industrial urban center
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
plantationnounUS /ˌplænˈteɪʃən/
an estate where cash crops are grown on a large scale (especially in tropical areas)
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
have in common
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
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 The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His mother and Cousin Belle both kissed him, and called him their little hero.
in or at that place or location
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
soldiers collectively
From this reading About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk of all the Oakland plantation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
Willy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading They were far more numerous than they had been in the morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collecting together and preparing to move.
