used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
BEAR-HUNT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
BearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
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 imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
createdverbUS /kriˈeɪtəd/
past form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
discreditverbUS /dɪˈskredət/
cause to be distrusted or disbelieved
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
discreditedadjectiveUS /dɪˈskredɪtɪd/
being unjustly brought into disrepute
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
hair-raisingadjective
extremely alarming
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
hallucinationsnounUS /həˌluːsəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “hallucination” — illusory perception; a common symptom of severe mental disorder
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
imaginativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənətɪv/
(used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
inventorynounUS /ˌɪnvənˈtɔːri/
a detailed list of all the items in stock
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
investigateverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪt/
investigate scientifically
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
a particular point in time
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
moss-covered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
NimrodnounUS /ˈnɪmrɑːd/
(Old Testament) a famous hunter
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
plentifuladjectiveUS /ˈplentəfəl/
existing in great number or quantity
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
regionnounUS /ˈriːdʒən/
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
squirrel-hunter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
villagersnounUS /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/
plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The imaginative Nimrod had probably seen a black stump or dark moss-covered rock, which, in the excitement of the moment, he did not stop to investigate.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He had fired upon the instant and then fled without taking further inventory of the place.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading It was doubtless one of those hallucinations that are so common in the woods.
a late time of life
From this reading Bears had not been plentiful in the region for several years, so at first the story was discredited.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE GREAT BEAR-HUNT The hair-raising story that the young squirrel-hunter told, created quite an excitement among villagers near by, but on second consideration the older and wiser heads were inclined to discredit it.
