used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
how long something has existed
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading Tan’s birthday!
the two together, not just one
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
carefully weighed
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
the specified day of the month
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
Denise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
fourteennounUS /ˈfɔːrˈtiːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
goatnounUS /ɡoʊt/
any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
(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 So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
kidverbUS /kɪd/
tell false information to for fun
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
lassienounUS /ˈlæsi/
a girl or young woman who is unmarried
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
lorenounUS /lɔːr/
knowledge gained through tradition or anecdote
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
not any; not one
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
one-halfnoun
one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
RockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
TannounUS /tæn/
a browning of the skin resulting from exposure to the rays of the sun
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
Tan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tan’s birthday!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading AN OLD FRIEND AND A NEW ONE It was the twentieth of April!
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
at the time that
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
which person or people
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading So Tan was growing old for a goat, and during the past winter had suffered somewhat from rheumatism.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading At least, Denise considered it his birthday, for upon that date, when she was a wee lassie of four, Tan had been given to her, although he certainly had not come into the world upon the same day, for Tan was “no kid” when she got him.
a late time of life
From this reading That he was more than seven and one-half years she knew, and a friend of her father’s who was well up in animal lore, said that Tan was not far from fourteen years of age, to judge from the rings upon his horns, which were almost as distinct as those seen upon the Rocky Mountain sheep which Tan resembled both in size and color.
