used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
antsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
balance-keepers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
placed in a grave
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
carrionnounUS /ˈkeriən/
the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
carrion-crows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
carrion-eaters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
crowverbUS /kroʊ/
dwell on with satisfaction
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
CuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/
destroy completely
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
devouredverbUS /dɪˈvaʊərd/
past form of “devour” — destroy completely
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
forsakenverbUS /fɔːrˈseɪkən/
inflected form of “forsake” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
set up or found
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
foxesnounUS /ˈfɑːksəz/
plural of “fox” — alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
gourmetsnounUS /ˈɡʊrmeɪz/
plural of “gourmet” — a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
death of a person
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
herbsnounUS /ɜːrbz/
plural of “herb” — a plant lacking a permanent woody stem; many are flowering garden plants or potherbs; some having medicinal properties; some are pests
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
hillocknounUS /ˈhɪlək/
a small natural hill
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
the act of departing
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
loatheverbUS /loʊð/
find repugnant
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
magpienounUS /ˈmæɡpaɪ/
long-tailed black-and-white crow that utters a raucous chattering call
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
mossnounUS /mɔːs/
tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
Nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/
with neatness
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
and nothing more
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
purifiersnounUS /ˈpjʊrəfaɪərz/
plural of “purifier” — an apparatus for removing impurities
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
an angry dispute
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
replacingnounUS /rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ/
the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
scavengersnounUS /ˈskævəndʒərz/
plural of “scavenger” — a chemical agent that is added to a chemical mixture to counteract the effects of impurities
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
skylarksnounUS /ˈskaɪlɑːrks/
plural of “skylark” — brown-speckled European lark noted for singing while hovering at a great height
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading Cutting out a round piece of turf from the side, I made a hole with my stick and put the dead bird in and replacing the turf left it neatly buried.
suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
turfnounUS /tɜːrf/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading I could not go away leaving it in that exposed place on the turf, to be found a little later by a magpie or carrion crow or fox, and devoured.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
wheatearnoun
small songbird of northern America and Eurasia having a distinctive white rump
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
wheatears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
which person or people
From this reading The only creatures on earth I loathe and hate are the gourmets, the carrion-crows and foxes of the human kind who devour wheatears and skylarks at their tables.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Close by there was a small round hillock, an old forsaken nest of the little brown ants, green and soft with moss and small creeping herbs--a suitable grave for a wheatear.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was not that I had or have any quarrel with the creatures I have named, or would have them other than they are--carrion-eaters and scavengers, Nature's balance-keepers and purifiers.
