used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
matters of personal concern
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
(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 Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
ambushverbUS /ˈæmbʊʃ/
wait in hiding to attack
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
the act of departing
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
characterized by great determination
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
at any time
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
EzranounUS /ˈezrə/
a Jewish priest and scribe sent by the Persian king to restore Jewish law and worship in Jerusalem
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
HICKORYnounUS /ˈhɪkəri/
valuable tough heavy hardwood from various hickory trees
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
not in action or at work
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
not any; not one
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
ParsonsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsənz/
United States sociologist (1902-1979)
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
pioneersnounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrz/
plural of “pioneer” — someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
soberadjectiveUS /ˈsoʊbər/
not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
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 Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
express in words
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
push forcefully
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
undertakenverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪkən/
inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They felt the responsibility that had been thrust upon them, and they determined to do their duty to the best of their ability.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although but little was said on the subject all felt that the expedition that had been undertaken was a most serious one.
Winship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FALL OF A HICKORY TREE After the departure of Ezra Winship and Peter Parsons, affairs at the log cabin took on a more sober look than ever.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But with so much work to be done, the boys had no time for idle speculation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Should the pioneers be led into ambush by the Indians it might be that not one of them would come back to tell the tale.
