adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
abroadadverbUS /əˈbrɔːd/
to or in a foreign country
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
absolutelyadverbUS /ˌæbsəˈluːtli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
beastnounUS /biːst/
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
cavenounUS /keɪv/
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
chaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
colornounUS /ˈkʌlər/
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
cougarnounUS /ˈkuːɡər/
large American feline resembling a lion
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
cougar's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
daytimenounUS /ˈdeɪtaɪm/
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
deservesverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrvz/
third-person singular of “deserve” — be worthy or deserving
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
discoververbUS /dɪˈskʌvər/
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
EastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
enemiesnounUS /ˈenəmiz/
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
extremeadjectiveUS /ekˈstriːm/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
fairadjectiveUS /fer/
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
gamenounUS /ɡeɪm/
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
habitnounUS /ˈhæbət/
an established custom
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
helpsnounUS /helps/
plural of “help” — the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
hidverbUS /hɪd/
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
houndsnounUS /haʊndz/
plural of “hound” — any of several breeds of dog used for hunting typically having large drooping ears
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
impossibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɑːsəbəl/
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
insteadadverbUS /ˌɪnˈsted/
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
killverbUS /kɪl/
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
lairnounUS /ler/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
leavesnounUS /liːvz/
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
liesnounUS /laɪz/
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
lionnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
MexicannounUS /ˈmeksəkən/
a native or inhabitant of Mexico
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
motionlessadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊʃənləs/
not in physical motion
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
mountainnounUS /ˈmaʊntən/
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
moveverbUS /muːv/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
movementsnounUS /ˈmuːvmənts/
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
namesnounUS /neɪmz/
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
painternounUS /ˈpeɪntər/
an artist who paints
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
panthernounUS /ˈpænθər/
a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
pawsnounUS /pɔːz/
plural of “paw” — a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
prefersverbUS /prəˈfɜːrz/
third-person singular of “prefer” — like better; value more highly
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
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 It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
pumanounUS /ˈpuːmə/
large American feline resembling a lion
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
pursuitnounUS /pərˈsuːt/
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
ranknounUS /ræŋk/
a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
rapinenoun
the act of despoiling a country in warfare
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
reluctancenounUS /rɪˈlʌktəns/
(physics) opposition to magnetic flux (analogous to electric resistance)
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
renderverbUS /ˈrendər/
cause to become
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
safeadjectiveUS /seɪf/
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
slinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
softadjectiveUS /sɑːft/
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
southernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
SouthwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
standpointnounUS /ˈstændpɔɪnt/
a mental position from which things are viewed
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
stealthnounUS /stelθ/
avoiding detection by moving carefully
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
still-huntverb
hunt (quarry) by stalking and ambushing
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
still-hunter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
still-hunter's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
still-hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
stumbleverbUS /ˈstʌmbəl/
walk unsteadily
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
thinksnounUS /θɪŋks/
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
twentynounUS /ˈtwenti/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
uniformitynounUS /ˌjuːnəˈfɔːrməti/
a condition in which everything is regular and unvarying
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
usuallyadverbUS /ˈjuːʒəwəli/
under normal conditions
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
velvetnounUS /ˈvelvət/
a silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
watchverbUS /wɑːtʃ/
look attentively
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
watchfulnessnoun
the process of paying close and continuous attention
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
WestnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading No animal of the chase is so difficult to kill by fair still-hunting as the cougar--that beast of many names, known in the East as panther and painter, in the West as mountain lion, in the Southwest as Mexican lion, and in the southern continent as lion and puma.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It prefers to move abroad by night or at dusk; and in the daytime usually lies hid in some cave or tangled thicket where it is absolutely impossible even to stumble on it by chance.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It is a beast of stealth and rapine; its great, velvet paws never make a sound, and it is always on the watch whether for prey or for enemies, while it rarely leaves shelter even when it thinks itself safe.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without hounds its pursuit is so uncertain that from the still-hunter's standpoint it hardly deserves to rank as game at all--though, by the way, it is itself a more skilful still-hunter than any human rival.
yardsnounUS /jɑːrdz/
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Its soft, leisurely movements and uniformity of color make it difficult to discover at best, and its extreme watchfulness helps it; but it is the cougar's reluctance to leave cover at any time, its habit of slinking off through the brush, instead of running in the open, when startled, and the way in which it lies motionless in its lair even when a man is within twenty yards, that render it so difficult to still-hunt.
