Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

filled with fear or apprehension

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

(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 A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

Having no one else present.

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

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

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

plural of “couple” — a pair who associate with one another

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

an awkward and inexperienced youth

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

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

From this reading CUBHOOD DAYS.

plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading CUBHOOD DAYS.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

a social unit living together

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

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

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

usually; as a rule

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

the lack of knowledge or education

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

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

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

the act of departing

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

engage in

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

plural of “mistake” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Bears, when they live far enough away from man, have absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

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

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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 The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

not often

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

plural of “separate” — a separately printed article that originally appeared in a larger publication

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

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

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

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

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

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

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

-ing form of “toddle” — walk unsteadily

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

a source of difficulty

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

under normal conditions

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

precisely as stated

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

at the time that

From this reading When they are small, bear-cubs rarely go about alone.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The whole family usually keeps together, or, if it separates, it is generally into couples--one cub with each of the parents; or the father goes off alone, leaving both cubs with the mother.

having a fluffy character or appearance

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading A cub toddling off alone in its own woolly, comfortable ignorance would be sure to make all manner of mistakes in what it ate, and it might find itself in very serious trouble in other ways.