used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
beggarnounUS /ˈbeɡər/
a pauper who lives by begging
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
broomnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
cartnounUS /kɑːrt/
a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
casknounUS /kæsk/
the quantity a cask will hold
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
a female human offspring
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
drilledadjectiveUS /drɪld/
trained in a skill by repetitious practice
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
dyedadjectiveUS /daɪd/
(used of color) artificially produced; not natural
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
feel or handle with the fingers
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
goat'snounUS /ɡoʊts/
possessive form of “goat” — any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
the act of departing
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
the head of a state government
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
come to pass
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
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 Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
engage in
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
marenounUS /mer/
female equine animal
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
not any; not one
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
on one occasion
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
and nothing more
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
paradenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
recogniseverbUS /ˈrekəɡnaɪz/
show approval or appreciation of
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
sootnounUS /sʊt/
a black colloidal substance consisting wholly or principally of amorphous carbon and used to make pigments and ink
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
tap-hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
ThiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading No harm should happen to her, he said; she should only be driven about a little, and if he took his finger out more than once, she should have ten dollars more.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
used to ask for information about something
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
in or at the place that
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
wide-openadjective
open wide
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
wignounUS /wɪɡ/
hairpiece covering the head and made of real or synthetic hair
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then he dressed himself in rags, dyed himself with soot, and put on a wig and a great beard of goat’s hair, so that it was impossible to recognise him, and went to the parade ground, where the Governor had already been riding about a long time.
withies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
worn-outadjective
used until no longer useful
From this reading So the Master Thief immediately got hold of an old worn-out mare, and set himself to work to make a collar for it of green withies and branches of broom; bought a shabby old cart and a great cask, and then he told a poor old beggar woman that he would give her ten dollars if she would get into the cask and keep her mouth wide-open beneath the tap-hole, into which he was going to stick his finger.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So the Governor said that he would see what he could do, and then he said that on a certain day he would ride out to a great common where they drilled the soldiers.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘Well, it might be done,’ said the Master Thief, ‘if I were absolutely certain that I should get your daughter.’
