Chapter III · Chapter 3

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

how long something has existed

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

Having no one else present.

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

a long narrow excavation in the earth

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

divisible by two

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

plural of “family” — a social unit living together

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

a social unit living together

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

From this reading The father and mother were gentle and kindly, as all Mice are, and were almost as handsome as when they first began to gnaw.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

joined in matrimony

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

not any; not one

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

and nothing more

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

capable of happening or existing

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

located or moved above the surround or above the normal position

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

Identical; not different.

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

not in physical motion

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading When their children were married and had homes of their own, they still liked to come back to visit.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

at the time that

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

in or at the place that

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There is no danger of their being lonely, even when their mother is away, for the Meadow Mice have large families, and where there are ten babies of the same age, or even only six, which is thought a small family among their people, it is not possible for one to feel alone.

which person or people

From this reading There were two fine Meadow Mice who built their nest in the bank of a ditch and were much liked by all their relatives.

having or prompted by wisdom or discernment

From this reading They had raised many children to full-grown Mousehood, and were kind and wise parents.