used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
almanacnounUS /ˈɑːlmənæk/
an annual publication including weather forecasts and other miscellaneous information arranged according to the calendar of a given year
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
a young person of either sex
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
cigarnounUS /sɪˈɡɑːr/
a roll of tobacco for smoking
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
coinsnounUS /kɔɪnz/
plural of “coin” — a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
COLLECTINGnounUS /kəˈlektɪŋ/
the act of gathering something together
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
cravingnounUS /ˈkreɪvɪŋ/
an intense desire for some particular thing
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
Doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
a metric unit of weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
geographynounUS /dʒiˈɑːɡrəfi/
study of the earth's surface; includes people's responses to topography and climate and soil and vegetation
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
growsverbUS /ɡroʊz/
third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
insectnounUS /ˈɪnsekt/
small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
INSECTSnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
engage in
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
used to form the superlative
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
Nature'snounUS /ˈneɪtʃərz/
possessive form of “nature” — the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
normaladjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrməl/
conforming with or constituting a norm or standard or level or type or social norm; not abnormal
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
OEHLENSCHLAEGER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
poorlyadverbUS /ˈpuːrli/
(“ill” is often used as a combining form) in a poor or improper or unsatisfactory manner; not well
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
post-cards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
postagenounUS /ˈpoʊstədʒ/
the charge for mailing something
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
compacted by ironing
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
relicsnounUS /ˈrelɪks/
plural of “relic” — an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
scruplenounUS /ˈskruːpəl/
a unit of apothecary weight equal to 20 grains
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
searchesnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “search” — the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/
plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
stampsnounUS /stæmps/
plural of “stamp” — the distinctive form in which a thing is made
From this reading It may be a collection of coins, postage stamps, post-cards, shells, relics, birds' eggs, pressed flowers or insects.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
stuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
under normal conditions
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
at the time that
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
which person or people
From this reading COLLECTING INSECTS "_Does he who searches Nature's secrets scruple To stick a pin into an insect?_" --A. G. OEHLENSCHLAEGER.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
plural of “wish” — a specific feeling of desire
From this reading In the life of every normal human there comes a time when he wishes to make a collection of some kind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If the child grows up in the country, the result of this craving is usually three or four cigar boxes of insects or an almanac or geography stuffed with the most attractive wild flowers of the field.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
but in spite of that
From this reading A collection of this sort may be small and poorly kept and yet it is worth while.
