used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
perfect or complete or pure
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
adepts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
in addition
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
react verbally
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
denseadjectiveUS /dens/
permitting little if any light to pass through because of denseness of matter
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
emergenciesnounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsiz/
plural of “emergency” — a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
enjoinedverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪnd/
past form of “enjoin” — issue an injunction
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
envelopedverbUS /enˈveləpt/
past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
fugitivenounUS /ˈfjuːdʒətɪv/
someone who flees from an uncongenial situation
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
growthnounUS /ɡroʊθ/
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
Hualcoyotl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this.
HungernounUS /ˈhʌŋɡər/
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
imitatingverbUS /ˈɪməteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “imitate” — reproduce someone's behavior or looks
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
go away from a place
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
hear with intention
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
not any; not one
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
recurring again and again
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
strictestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪktəst/
superlative of “strict” — rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Hualcoyotl took it upon himself to do this.
except if; if not
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hunger was pressing hard upon the fugitive prince and his companion, and it became an absolute necessity for one of them to venture out in search of food.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Before setting out on his venture, Hualcoyotl enjoined upon his man the strictest watchfulness, and that he should on no account leave his retreat, unless driven from it by threatened danger; also to listen for the signal, but not to answer until it had been repeated.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The natives were adepts in the practice of imitating certain birds and animals, and a signal of this kind was agreed upon, to be used in emergencies.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
woodyadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdi/
made of or containing or resembling wood
From this reading It was night, and black darkness enveloped the mountain, especially within the dense woody growth which covered it.
