used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VISIT TO THE SEA.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
a youthful male person
From this reading Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
Craig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
communicated in words
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
foamnounUS /foʊm/
a mass of small bubbles formed in or on a liquid
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
KitnounUS /kɪt/
a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
(Old Testament) the guardian archangel of the Jews
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
paddleverbUS /ˈpædəl/
propel with a paddle
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
ripplingnounUS /ˈrɪpəlɪŋ/
a small wave on the surface of a liquid
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading A VISIT TO THE SEA.
sea-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
steamersnounUS /ˈstiːmərz/
plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading One day in the end of August, a happy little party landed at a sea-side place from one of the river steamers on the Thames.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A VISIT TO THE SEA.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A VISIT TO THE SEA.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading A VISIT TO THE SEA.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Harry was now a fine, strong boy, and able to run about.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
a Caucasian
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The little party consisted of Mrs. Craig, Michael, his wife and three children, and of Mr. and Mrs. Gray, Ben, Kit, and Harry.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading The children had never seen the sea before, and great had been the wonder expressed as they ran about the deck of the steamer,--now watching the rippling water, and the white foam caused by the paddle wheels,--now throwing bits of bread to the birds as they followed in the wake of the steamer.
