used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
accidentsnounUS /ˈæksədənts/
plural of “accident” — an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
appetitenounUS /ˈæpətaɪt/
a feeling of craving something
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
on or to one side
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
bird'snounUS /bɜːrdz/
possessive form of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
brutaladjectiveUS /ˈbruːtəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
bound or obligated, as under a pledge to a particular cause, action, or attitude
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
a state at a particular time
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
countlessadjectiveUS /ˈkaʊntləs/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
cownounUS /kaʊ/
female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
crushverbUS /krʌʃ/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
a beloved person; used as terms of endearment
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
defencelessadjective
lacking protection or support
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
destroysverbUS /dɪˈstrɔɪz/
third-person singular of “destroy” — do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
diseasesnounUS /dɪˈziːzəz/
plural of “disease” — an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
emblemnounUS /ˈembləm/
special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
divisible by two
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
feedingnounUS /ˈfiːdɪŋ/
the act of consuming food
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
start firing a weapon
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
gratifyverbUS /ˈɡrætəfaɪ/
make happy or satisfied
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
low or inferior in station or quality
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
unbiased impartial unconcern
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
a particular point in time
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used to form the superlative
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
not any; not one
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
offspringnounUS /ˈɔːfsprɪŋ/
the immediate descendants of a person
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
reflectverbUS /rɪˈflekt/
manifest or bring back
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
seductions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
the act of searching for something
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
be seated
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
temptationnounUS /temˈteɪʃən/
something that seduces or has the quality to seduce
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
treadverbUS /tred/
put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
treadsnounUS /tredz/
plural of “tread” — a step in walking or running
From this reading A cow is seeking a bite of grass; she steps aside to gratify that appetite; she treads on the nest, and destroys the offspring of the defenceless bird.
unapt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Sometimes, as we sit at home, we can see the calamity coming at a distance.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I could not but reflect on the dangerous condition to which the creature had committed her most tender hopes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading What are diseases, in their countless forms, accidents by flood and fire, the seductions of temptation, and even some human beings themselves, but so many huge cows feeding around our nest, and ready, every moment, to crush our dearest hopes, with the most careless indifference, beneath their brutal tread?
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading As I came away from the island, I reflected that this bird's situation, in her humble, defenceless nest, might be no unapt emblem of man in this precarious world.
