used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
accurateadjectiveUS /ˈækjərət/
conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
agileadjectiveUS /ˈædʒəl/
moving quickly and lightly
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
(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 In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
without doubt or question
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
coatsnounUS /koʊts/
plural of “coat” — an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
the act of discovering something
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Gazelles," returned his father.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
GazellesnounUS /ɡəˈzelz/
plural of “gazelle” — small swift graceful antelope of Africa and Asia having lustrous eyes
From this reading "Gazelles," returned his father.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
herdnounUS /hɜːrd/
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans
From this reading "A small herd of them."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Gazelles," returned his father.
ten 10s
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
naturalistsnounUS /ˈnætʃərəlɪsts/
plural of “naturalist” — an advocate of the doctrine that the world can be understood in scientific terms
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "Gazelles," returned his father.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "A small herd of them."
specimensnounUS /ˈspesəmənz/
plural of “specimen” — an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
the rays of the sun
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "A small herd of them."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading In a moment the agile animals came running out in full view of all, their beautiful coats showing clearly in the bright sunlight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading A Grim Discovery "What is it?" asked Bob, slow to catch sight of the object.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The creatures were about a hundred yards away, not any too near for an accurate shot, but the naturalists were much in desire of several as specimens.
