used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
aidsnounUS /eɪdz/
a serious (often fatal) disease of the immune system transmitted through blood products especially by sexual contact or contaminated needles
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
for the reason that
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The farmer who had been watching knew that was the last Rat.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
fleeingverbUS /ˈfliːɪŋ/
-ing form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
made afraid
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The farmer who had been watching knew that was the last Rat.
halfwayadjectiveUS /ˈhæfˈweɪ/
equally distant from the extremes
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
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 The farmer who had been watching knew that was the last Rat.
immediately past
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
MinknounUS /mɪŋk/
the expensive fur of a mink
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
Mink's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
ne'eradverbUS /ner/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
RatnounUS /ræt/
any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading _Billy Mink._ Almost at the heels of the last frightened Rat fleeing from the house of Billy Mink’s friend, the farmer, appeared Billy Mink himself.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Rat started for the big barn, but Billy caught him before he was halfway there.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The farmer who had been watching knew that was the last Rat.
which person or people
From this reading The farmer who had been watching knew that was the last Rat.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He knew it because he knew that Billy would not have shown himself outside as long as there was a Rat left inside.
You'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You’ll ne’er regret the kindly deed That aids another in his need.
