used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
(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 "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
cat'snounUS /kæts/
possessive form of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Part of one of his letters contains a description of the kitten.
correspondentsnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndənts/
plural of “correspondent” — someone who communicates by means of letters
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
CowpernounUS /ˈkaʊpər/
English surgeon who discovered Cowper's gland (1666-1709)
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
Cowper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Part of one of his letters contains a description of the kitten.
DIARISTS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
drollest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
at any time
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
gambols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
Gilpin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
goldfinchesnounUS /ˈɡoʊldfɪntʃɪz/
plural of “goldfinch” — American finch whose male has yellow body plumage in summer
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
kittennounUS /ˈkɪtən/
young domestic cat
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
the literary culture
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
engage in
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
many times at short intervals
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Part of one of his letters contains a description of the kitten.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Part of one of his letters contains a description of the kitten.
PEPYSnoun
English diarist whose diary contained detailed descriptions of 17th century disasters in England (1633-1703)
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
petsnounUS /pets/
plural of “pet” — a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
pigeonsnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
which person or people
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had a number of pets living with him, and these little friends of his, goldfinches, pigeons, a cat and a kitten, often make their appearance in Cowper's letters to his correspondents.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading "I have a kitten, the drollest of all creatures that ever wore a cat's skin.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Her gambols are not to be described, and would be incredible, if they could.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
WRITERSnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading LETTERS AND LETTER WRITERS: PEPYS AND OTHER DIARISTS Cowper, the poet, who wrote _John Gilpin_, is a delightful letter writer.
