used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
absent-mindedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
at or in the front
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
(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 It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
biggestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡəst/
superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
chivalrousadjective
being attentive to women like an ideal knight
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
concentratedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪd/
gathered together or made less diffuse
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
daintilyadverbUS /ˈdeɪntəliː/
in a dainty and fastidious manner
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
debatingverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
dingiest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
at any time
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
hat-rack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
and nothing more
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
immediately past
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
mentallyadverbUS /ˈmentəli/
in your mind
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
not any; not one
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
pussy-footing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
precisely, exactly
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
cut with a saw
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
perception by means of the eyes
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
steppingverbUS /ˈstepɪŋ/
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
strollingverbUS /ˈstroʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
tabbynounUS /ˈtæbi/
a cat with a grey or tawny coat mottled with black
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
carry out
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
tomcatnounUS /ˈtɑːmkæt/
male cat
From this reading And right behind Mike came the biggest and dingiest tomcat we have ever seen.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The last time we saw Mike was about two a.m.—we had been detained at the office.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading He was wearing his bell and an expression of concentrated interest.
well-brought-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
at the time that
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As we neared the house, mentally debating whether or not we would take off our boots downstairs—the last time we did so we absent-mindedly hung them on the hat-rack—we noticed a nice grey tabby stepping daintily across the deserted street ahead of us.
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 It had just occurred to us that this was no hour for a well-brought-up cat to be strolling around, when we noticed Mike pussy-footing along about three yards behind—no doubt with some chivalrous intention of seeing that she got home all right.
