used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
(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 THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
antennæ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
for the reason that
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
BEEnounUS /biː/
any of numerous hairy-bodied insects including social and solitary species
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
cellsnounUS /selz/
plural of “cell” — any small compartment
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Now that some are ready, however, her movements change.
clambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
combverbUS /koʊm/
straighten with a comb
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
councillors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
cradlenounUS /ˈkreɪdəl/
a baby bed with sides and rockers
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
distractedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstræktəd/
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
eggnounUS /eɡ/
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
examinesverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmənz/
third-person singular of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
hivenounUS /haɪv/
a teeming multitude
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Now that some are ready, however, her movements change.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
ladies-in-waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Now that some are ready, however, her movements change.
not any; not one
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that some are ready, however, her movements change.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
selectsverbUS /səˈlekts/
third-person singular of “select” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Now that some are ready, however, her movements change.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
confined on all sides
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that some are ready, however, her movements change.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
precisely as stated
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
wandersverbUS /ˈwɑːndərz/
third-person singular of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading THE LIFE OF THE BEE All the time the cells are being built the queen wanders about the hive in a distracted fashion, because there are no cells ready for her to fill.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Surrounded by her councillors, or ladies-in-waiting, as we might call them, she clambers over the comb and selects a cell in which to lay the first egg.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She very carefully examines the cell by placing her head in it and feeling the sides with her antennæ.
withdrawsverbUS /wɪðˈdrɔːz/
third-person singular of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Being satisfied that it is in a fit state to become the cradle of a young bee, she withdraws her head and then the egg is laid.
