used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
anew
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
another's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
the lower side of anything
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
casknounUS /kæsk/
the quantity a cask will hold
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
without deviation
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
divisible by two
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
friskingnoun
the act of searching someone for concealed weapons or illegal drugs
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
frolicsomeadjective
given to merry frolicking
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
grave-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
Hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
leapingnounUS /ˈliːpɪŋ/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
a particular point in time
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
not any; not one
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
propoundverbUS /prəˈpaʊnd/
put forward, as of an idea
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
rascalsnounUS /ˈræskəlz/
plural of “rascal” — a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
ratnounUS /ræt/
any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
singeverbUS /sɪndʒ/
burn superficially or lightly
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
SnoutnounUS /snaʊt/
a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
in the near future
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
speakernounUS /ˈspiːkər/
someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
up to a particular time
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Has no one any opinion to offer?" he asked.
the upper part of anything
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Now, Brother Snout, let us hear what your idea happens to be," he said, turning to the rat on the top of the cask.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
whiskersnounUS /ˈwɪskərz/
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
whisking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Directly the speaker ceased, even for a moment, the rats began frisking and whisking about, biting at one another's tails and leaping over one another, till he again shouted "Silence!"
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
an affirmative
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading On this a grave-looking rat from the top of a cask answered, "Yes, I have an idea, which I'll propound as soon as those frolicsome young fellows at the bottom of the hold will keep quiet."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On this the president again cried out, "Be quiet, you young rascals, or I'll singe your whiskers.
