used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
(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 If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
have
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
BRUINnounUS /ˈbruːɪn/
a conventional name for a bear used in tales following usage in the old epic “Reynard the Fox”
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
characteristicsnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪks/
plural of “characteristic” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
CUBHOOD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
detachableadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃəbəl/
designed to be unfastened or disconnected without damage
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
take in liquids
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
drollerynoun
a comic incident or series of incidents
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
evincedverbUS /ɪˈvɪnst/
past form of “evince” — give expression to
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
furryadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːri/
covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
fuzzyadjectiveUS /ˈfʌzi/
covering with fine light hairs
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
humornounUS /ˈhjuːmər/
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
participate in games or sport
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
playfellownoun
a companion at play
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
playfulnessnounUS /ˈpleɪfəlnəs/
a festive merry feeling
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
pokingnounUS /ˈpoʊkɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
and nothing more
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
sniffingverbUS /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/
-ing form of “sniff” — perceive by inhaling through the nose
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
in the near future
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
sturdieradjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdiər/
comparative of “sturdy” — having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
suspiciouslyadverbUS /səˈspɪʃəsli/
with suspicion
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Having discovered that it was detachable, he always made for it as soon as the spirit of play seized him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
tumbledverbUS /ˈtʌmbəld/
past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing
From this reading His first playfellow was the pillow which he tumbled off the sofa one day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE CUBHOOD OF BLACK BRUIN For several weeks the furry, fuzzy little bear in the box behind the kitchen stove did little but drink milk and sleep.
at the time that
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But by degrees as he grew stronger and sturdier he evinced much curiosity, playfulness and drollery, and to these characteristics would have to be added, when he became partly grown, a kind of bear sense of humor which was quite ludicrous.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he did crawl out of his box on to the floor, it was simply to investigate the surroundings, and he would go about the room, poking his nose into all the corners, and sniffing suspiciously.
