used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
(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 Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
for the reason that
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
borehole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
crannynounUS /ˈkræni/
a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
elfinadjectiveUS /ˈelfɪn/
suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
FlickersnounUS /ˈflɪkərz/
plural of “flicker” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
FOUNDLINGnounUS /ˈfaʊndlɪŋ/
a child who has been abandoned and whose parents are unknown
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
gnarledadjectiveUS /nɑːrld/
used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
Graysquirrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
homingadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmɪŋ/
orienting or directing homeward or to a destination
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
and nothing more
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
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 She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
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 But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
the officer below the master on a commercial ship
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
not any; not one
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
not one, and not any
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
ruggedadjectiveUS /ˈrʌɡəd/
sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
second-growth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She appeared to have no mate; at least none was seen.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
sparedverbUS /sperd/
past form of “spare” — refrain from harming
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
having a supporting base
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE FOUNDLING IT was a rugged old tree standing sturdy and big among the slender second-growth.
which person or people
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
wood-folk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
woodmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The woodmen had spared it because it was too gnarled and too difficult for them to handle.
WoodpeckernounUS /ˈwʊdpekər/
bird with strong claws and a stiff tail adapted for climbing and a hard chisel-like bill for boring into wood for insects
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Its every cranny and borehole was inhabited by some quaint elfin of the woods; the biggest hollow of all, just below the first limb, had done duty for two families of the Flickers who first made it, and now was the homing hole of a mother Graysquirrel.
a late time of life
From this reading But the Woodpecker, and a host of wood-folk that look to the Woodpecker for lodgings, had marked and used it for many years.
