used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
barnyardnounUS /ˈbɑːrnjɑːrd/
a yard adjoining a barn
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Billy didn’t know.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
chickennounUS /ˈtʃɪkən/
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
recognizable; marked
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Billy didn’t know.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
guardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
heedsnounUS /hiːdz/
plural of “heed” — paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
henhousenounUS /ˈhenhaʊs/
a farm building for housing poultry
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
an opening into or through something
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
intendingverbUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
and nothing more
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading But Billy didn’t know.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
MinknounUS /mɪŋk/
the expensive fur of a mink
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
in other respects or ways
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
provesverbUS /pruːvz/
third-person singular of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
move stealthily
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
in the near future
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That night he decided he would have another chicken for dinner, so he ran over to the henhouse, intending to slip through the hole in the dark corner, just as he had done the night before.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading He had been living there so comfortably that he had grown a little careless, otherwise he never would have ventured out in broad daylight.
a message informing of danger
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
which person or people
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
belonging to which person
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Who heeds a warning proves he’s wise, And guards himself against surprise.
woodpilenounUS /ˈwʊdpaɪl/
a pile or stack of wood to be used for fuel
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading _Billy Mink._ If Billy Mink had known that he had been discovered by the farmer, under whose woodpile he was living, it is probable that he would have moved on in search of new adventures just as soon as the Black Shadows had crept out across the barnyard that night.
