used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
in addition
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
bushnounUS /bʊʃ/
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
ceaselessadjectiveUS /ˈsiːslɪs/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
cootsnounUS /kuːts/
plural of “coot” — slate-black slow-flying birds somewhat resembling ducks
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
DISCOVERIESnounUS /dɪˈskʌvəriz/
plural of “discovery” — the act of discovering something
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
moving swiftly
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
the act of departing
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
gossipingnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəpɪŋ/
a conversation that spreads personal information about other people
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
grebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
isletnounUS /ˈaɪlɪt/
a small island
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
lesseradjectiveUS /ˈlesər/
of less size or importance
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
mallardsnounUS /ˈmælərdz/
plural of “mallard” — wild dabbling duck from which domestic ducks are descended; widely distributed
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
moorhens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
in the near future
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
cut with a saw
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
speculateverbUS /ˈspekjəleɪt/
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
not in physical motion
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
in the direction of
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading They did not seem in any haste, but flitted from islet to islet, bush to tree, feeding and gossiping as they went; still the movement was distinct.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
look attentively
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
waterfowlnounUS /ˈwɔːtərfaʊl/
freshwater aquatic bird
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As they met him they parted and let him through, or rose and went over.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He now saw (what had, indeed, been going on for some time) that there was a ceaseless stream of waterfowl, mallards, ducks, coots, moorhens, and lesser grebes coming towards him, swimming to the westward.
at the time that
From this reading DISCOVERIES This little circumstance of the mallards always flying over him and away behind, when flushed, presently made Felix speculate on the cause, and he kept a closer watch.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Next he noticed that the small birds on the islands were also travelling in the same direction, that is against the wind.
