used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
in addition
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JERRY AND OSCAR.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
ClintonnounUS /ˈklɪntən/
wife of President Clinton and later a woman member of the United States Senate (1947-)
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
permission to do something
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
duck-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading JERRY AND OSCAR.
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
engage in
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
being perceived or observed
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
on one occasion
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
OSCARnounUS /ˈɔːskər/
an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
From this reading JERRY AND OSCAR.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
prolongverbUS /prəˈlɔːŋ/
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Having obtained his father’s consent, he set about the job at once.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading After Clinton had finished his duck-house, he noticed that the water was getting quite low in the brook.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was the month of August, and the season had been very hot and dry, so that the springs in the hills, which fed the brook, had almost given out.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading While he was thinking what his ducks would do for water if the brook should dry entirely up, it occurred to him that he might make a little pond, to be filled from the brook, which would afford a good place for his ducks to swim, and might also prolong the supply of water.
