used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
architecturenounUS /ˈɑːrkətektʃər/
an architectural product or work
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
beaknounUS /biːk/
beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he is very small, Mr. Swift cannot lift much weight.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
rid of obstructions
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
without stop or interruption
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
moving swiftly
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
GAY-NECK'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
handicapsnounUS /ˈhændikæps/
plural of “handicap” — the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
raise from a lower to a higher position
From this reading As he is very small, Mr. Swift cannot lift much weight.
engage in
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
a form of address for a man
From this reading As he is very small, Mr. Swift cannot lift much weight.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading As he is very small, Mr. Swift cannot lift much weight.
ODYSSEYnounUS /ˈɑːdəsi/
a long wandering and eventful journey
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He has a small beak fit for catching flying insects.
moving very fast
From this reading As he is very small, Mr. Swift cannot lift much weight.
swift'snounUS /swɪfts/
possessive form of “swift” — United States meat-packer who began the use of refrigerated railroad cars (1839-1903)
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Very few insects can escape his wide open mouth as he comes down on them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
precisely as stated
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading As he is very small, Mr. Swift cannot lift much weight.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading His mouth is very wide to enable him to catch his prey while he is on the wing.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading GAY-NECK'S ODYSSEY (_Continued_) In order to make clear to you the swift's skill at architecture, let me first of all draw attention to the swift's handicaps.
