used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
(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 The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
alligatornounUS /ˈæləɡeɪtər/
leather made from alligator's hide
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
caymannounUS /ˈkeɪmən/
a semiaquatic reptile of Central and South America that resembles an alligator but has a more heavily armored belly
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
clawingverbUS /ˈklɔːɪŋ/
-ing form of “claw” — move as if by clawing, seizing, or digging
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick’s first shot was a splendid one.
dragverbUS /dræɡ/
pull, as against a resistance
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
faredverbUS /ferd/
past form of “fare” — proceed or get along
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
fearsomeadjectiveUS /ˈfɪrsəm/
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Dick’s first shot was a splendid one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
fore-feet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
horriblyadverbUS /ˈhɔːrəbli/
of a dreadful kind
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
and nothing more
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
nickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Dick’s first shot was a splendid one.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
reptilesnounUS /ˈreptaɪlz/
plural of “reptile” — any cold-blooded vertebrate of the class Reptilia including tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and extinct forms
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
resistingverbUS /rɪˈzɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “resist” — elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
scalyadjective
rough to the touch; covered with scales or scurf
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Dick’s first shot was a splendid one.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Dick’s first shot was a splendid one.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
tapirnoun
large inoffensive chiefly nocturnal ungulate of tropical America and southeast Asia having a heavy body and fleshy snout
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading For several more of these scaly and fearsome reptiles were hurrying to the scene of action.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
hard to endure
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The poor creature had both its feet set well in front, and was resisting with all its might, while two other larger animals, probably the parents, were clawing the cayman desperately with their fore-feet.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But ill, indeed, would it have fared with all three had not our heroes appeared just in the nick of time.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A gigantic and horribly fierce alligator had seized upon a strong young tapir, and was trying to drag it into the water.
