used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
to or in a foreign country
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
bonenounUS /boʊn/
rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
BrushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
contrivancenounUS /kənˈtraɪvəns/
a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
discoveringverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
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 "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
dragon-fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
FerdinandnounUS /ˈfɜːrdɪnænd/
the king of Castile and Aragon who ruled jointly with his wife Isabella
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
forenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
hinderverbUS /ˈhɪndər/
be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
insectnounUS /ˈɪnsekt/
small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
and nothing more
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
kennelnounUS /ˈkenəl/
outbuilding that serves as a shelter for a dog
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
staying power
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
informal terms for a mother
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
monkey'snounUS /ˈmʌŋkiz/
possessive form of “monkey” — any of various long-tailed primates (excluding the prosimians)
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
used to form the superlative
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
nutnounUS /nʌt/
usually large hard-shelled seed
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
come into possession of
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
pawsnounUS /pɔːz/
plural of “paw” — a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
prizenounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
putsnounUS /pʊts/
plural of “put” — the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
on the contrary
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
without much difficulty
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
cut with a saw
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Just as Ferdinand had concluded his story of Brush, his attention was caught by a beautiful dragon-fly, which flitted above his head.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading A bone that was thrown him, fell, like the monkey's nut, beyond the reach of his chain, and, finding he could not obtain it by means of his fore paws, he turned round, and throwing out his hinder legs, readily reached it, and drew it to his kennel."
unfoldingnounUS /ənˈfoʊldɪŋ/
a developmental process
From this reading "It is rather late in the season, is it not, mamma, to see these insects abroad?" said he, carefully unfolding his handkerchief, and discovering his prize.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He hastily threw up his handkerchief, and took the insect prisoner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
the day immediately before today
From this reading "Well, that was a most capital contrivance," said Ferdinand; "and it puts me in mind of a clever plan which I saw our own dog, Brush, adopt yesterday.
