used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
BACONnounUS /ˈbeɪkən/
back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried
From this reading "SAVING THE BACON!"
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
detectedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtektəd/
perceived or discerned
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
displeasurenounUS /dɪˈspleʒər/
the feeling of being displeased or annoyed or dissatisfied with someone or something
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
having the place or position changed
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
divisible by two
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Phil reached for his gun.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
grummets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Phil reached for his gun.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
only a very short time before
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Phil reached for his gun.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
LuckilyadverbUS /ˈlʌkəli/
by good fortune
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
engage in
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Phil reached for his gun.
by chance
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Phil reached for his gun.
releasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
SAVINGnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading "SAVING THE BACON!"
signifiednounUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪd/
the meaning of a word or expression; the way in which a word or expression or situation can be interpreted
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
snarking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "SAVING THE BACON!"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
the act of using
From this reading Luckily he had it close by, even though hardly expecting to make use of it during the night.
waryadjectiveUS /ˈweri/
marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now the gun was being carefully pushed forth, advantage being taken of the opening under the canvas cover, where Phil had released a couple of the grummets.
in or at the place that
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
wildcatnounUS /ˈwaɪldkæt/
an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
From this reading He fancied he heard a low snarking sound; possibly it may have been pure imagination; though so wary an animal as a wildcat might have detected a movement down below, where its human enemies held forth, and signified by this means its displeasure at being disturbed in a feast.
