used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
aldernounUS /ˈɔːldər/
wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
barkingverbUS /ˈbɑːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “bark” — speak in an unfriendly tone
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
BEAVERnounUS /ˈbiːvər/
the soft brown fur of the beaver
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
bobcatnounUS /ˈbɑːbkæt/
small lynx of North America
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
ChinooknounUS /ʃɪˈnʊk/
a warm dry wind blowing down the eastern slopes of the Rockies
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
colonynounUS /ˈkɑːləni/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
cubsnounUS /kʌbz/
plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
denselyadverbUS /ˈdensli/
in a stupid manner
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
detectverbUS /dɪˈtekt/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
dumpverbUS /dʌmp/
throw away as refuse
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
a social unit living together
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
fernyadjective
abounding in or covered with ferns
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
footprintnounUS /ˈfʊtprɪnt/
a mark of a foot or shoe on a surface
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
set up or found
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
an opening into or through something
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
logverbUS /lɔːɡ/
enter into a log, as on ships and planes
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
moistadjectiveUS /mɔɪst/
slightly wet
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
networknounUS /ˈnetwɜːrk/
an interconnected system of things or people
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
nosesnounUS /ˈnoʊzɪz/
plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
being perceived or observed
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
richnessnounUS /ˈrɪtʃnəs/
the property of being extremely abundant
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
scrapingsnounUS /ˈskreɪpɪŋz/
plural of “scraping” — (usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
scufflings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
smelledverbUS /smeld/
past form of “smell” — inhale the odor of; perceive by the olfactory sense
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
in the near future
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
squirrelnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəl/
a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
very small
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
trailsnounUS /treɪlz/
plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
tropicadjectiveUS /ˈtrɑːpɪk/
relating to or situated in or characteristic of the tropics (the region on either side of the equator)
From this reading MOUNTAIN BEAVER Above the moist, ferny floor of a densely shaded mountain slope of almost tropic richness, the cubs had noticed a squirrel barking in an alder thicket.
underneathprepositionUS /ˌʌndərˈniːθ/
directly under, often hidden by what is above
From this reading Not a movement was made above ground, but their sharp ears could detect scufflings and scrapings from underneath their feet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
in or at the place that
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading As they approached to find out what he was barking at, their noses began telling them that here was a whole colony of creatures they had never smelled before.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Soon they could see that the ground was a network of their tiny trails, together with an occasional footprint that had been left by the bobcat family.
woodchucknounUS /ˈwʊdtʃʌk/
reddish brown North American marmot
From this reading At the end of a fallen log Chinook found a dump of earth where a hole large enough for a woodchuck gave off that same strange scent.
