used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading But anyway, they were some sort of animals, and quite large.”
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
any thing at all
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading But anyway, they were some sort of animals, and quite large.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But anyway, they were some sort of animals, and quite large.”
campfirenounUS /ˈkæmpfaɪər/
a small outdoor fire for warmth or cooking (as at a camp)
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
conflagrationnounUS /ˌkɑːnfləˈɡreɪʃən/
a very intense and uncontrolled fire
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But anyway, they were some sort of animals, and quite large.”
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
full of life and energy
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
wrong in e.g. opinion or judgment
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “They looked as much like bears as they looked like anything,” answered his chum.
not any; not one
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
on one occasion
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
past form of “question” — challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “Of course, they were quite a distance away, and I may have been mistaken.
with speed
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
roughnessnounUS /ˈrʌfnəs/
a texture of a surface or edge that is not smooth but is irregular and uneven
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
put a saddle on
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But anyway, they were some sort of animals, and quite large.”
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading But anyway, they were some sort of animals, and quite large.”
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The campfire was stamped out with care, so that there would be no danger of a conflagration in the forest so close at hand, and then the five lively chums leaped into the saddle once more and started off in the direction in which Ben had said he had seen the game.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What made you think they were a couple of bears?” questioned Dave, as they rode along as rapidly as the roughness of the trail permitted.
