aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading At home you know how much was said about us."
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
(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 But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
have
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
without stop or interruption
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
dearly loved
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading At home you know how much was said about us."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
industriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəs/
characterized by hard work and perseverance
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
interfereverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪr/
come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
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 It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
mischievousadjectiveUS /ˈmɪstʃəvəs/
naughtily or annoyingly playful
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading At home you know how much was said about us."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
neighbour'snounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
possessive form of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
not any; not one
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
being perceived or observed
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
held or filled or in use
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
go across or through
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
purringverbUS /ˈpɜːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “purr” — make a soft swishing sound
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
unusual or striking
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading At home you know how much was said about us."
only a very short time before
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
the rays of the sun
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading It is when I have been sitting too long purring in the sunshine with nothing to do, that I am in danger of being mischievous or troublesome."
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
precisely as stated
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At home you know how much was said about us."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
at the time that
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I know by experience, my dear Captain," continued she, "that when I am properly occupied with my own rats, I have no temptation to interfere with my neighbour's mice.
someone who sees an event and reports what happened
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
be worried, concerned, anxious, troubled, or uneasy
From this reading But these are not _all_ busy,--some may be at leisure to worry us; and I scarcely know how we are to pass unobserved; I fear we are very remarkable.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "True," I answered; "I can bear witness to that myself: and I am not afraid of the industrious people, if they noticed us, it would be kindly.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading At home you know how much was said about us."
