used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
(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 He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
have
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
cubsnounUS /kʌbz/
plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
the act of consuming food
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
at any time
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
every person
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
a boy or man
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
fishingnounUS /ˈfɪʃɪŋ/
the act of someone who fishes as a diversion
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
set up or found
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
French-English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
happy-go-luckyadjective
cheerfully irresponsible
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
held dear
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
MarquettenounUS /mɑːrˈket/
French missionary who accompanied Louis Joliet in exploring the upper Mississippi River valley (1637-1675)
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
ParsonsnounUS /ˈpɑːrsənz/
United States sociologist (1902-1979)
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
pioneersnounUS /ˌpaɪəˈnɪrz/
plural of “pioneer” — someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the state of being asleep
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
SNOWSHOESnounUS /ˈsnoʊʃuːz/
plural of “snowshoe” — a device to help you walk on deep snow; a lightweight frame shaped like a racquet is strengthened with cross pieces and contains a network of thongs; one is worn on each foot
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
status with respect to the relations between people or groups
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was on good terms with everybody, and all of the pioneers thought a good deal of him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
trappernounUS /ˈtræpər/
someone who sets traps for animals (usually to obtain their furs)
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading AN ADVENTURE ON SNOWSHOES The boys had talked bear for a long time--in fact ever since they had heard of two other boys of the settlement bringing in a pair of cubs they had found in a hollow tree in the forest.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
which person or people
From this reading Marquette was a happy-go-lucky fellow who loved hunting and fishing better than he did eating and sleeping.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading They had not said much in Mrs. Parsons’ presence, but they had told the girls that they meant to get a bear, big or little, before the winter was over.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the fort they had fallen in with a French-English trapper named Marquette.
