used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
anew
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!”
Anne'snounUS /ænz/
possessive form of “anne” — Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!”
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
door-mat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading “OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
glowingadjectiveUS /ˈɡloʊɪŋ/
highly enthusiastic
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading “OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!”
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
indoorsadverbUS /ˈɪndɔːrz/
within a building
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
kennelnounUS /ˈkenəl/
outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
staying power
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
the act of hearing attentively
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
a particular point in time
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
OVERprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!”
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
phosphorescencenounUS /ˌfɑːsfərˈesəns/
a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
roamverbUS /roʊm/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
in the near future
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
not in physical motion
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading Happy, having forgotten and gone to sleep, was again struggling with bad dreams, so he had to arouse her.
express in words
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “OVER THE HILLS AND FAR AWAY!”
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
Waddles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading That Waddles did not go up stairs the moment he was called was nothing unusual, for though Anne’s door-mat was his regular bed he was at liberty to roam about the house at will.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He sat quite still for a few minutes, listening until the footsteps overhead ceased, his eyes glowing through the dark like bits of green phosphorescence, then settled himself again with a sigh, for his back legs were extra stiff.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Now that I’ve managed for you to stay indoors, the least that you can do is to tell me about the hunting the kennel dogs took out of season,” he said, as soon as she was fairly awake.
