used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
(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 But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
eagerly desirous
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
broodverbUS /bruːd/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
cacklingverbUS /ˈkækəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “cackle” — talk or utter in a cackling manner
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
chicken-coop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
duckverbUS /dʌk/
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
ducklingnounUS /ˈdʌklɪŋ/
flesh of a young domestic duck
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
ducklingsnounUS /ˈdʌklɪŋz/
plural of “duckling” — flesh of a young domestic duck
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
enchantingadjectiveUS /enˈtʃæntɪŋ/
capturing interest as if by a spell
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
Enchantressnoun
a woman who is considered to be dangerously seductive
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
divisible by two
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
opinion or judgment
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
hen-mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
hystericaladjectiveUS /hɪˈsterɪkəl/
characterized by or arising from psychoneurotic hysteria
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
IsisnounUS /ˈaɪsəs/
Egyptian goddess of fertility; daughter of Geb; sister and wife of Osiris
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
napkinnounUS /ˈnæpkɪn/
a small piece of table linen that is used to wipe the mouth and to cover the lap in order to protect clothing
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
and nothing more
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
RACHELnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/
(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
cut with a saw
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PLAYING HEAVY FATHER TO RACHEL Never had the _Enchantress Isis_ looked so enchanting to my eyes as she looked that night.
troopedverbUS /truːpt/
past form of “troop” — march in a procession
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I could have kissed its napkin when it slid off its lap and I picked it up--the napkin, not the duck--at dinner.
valuedadjectiveUS /ˈvæljuːd/
(usually used in combination) having value of a specified kind
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
at the time that
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
which person or people
From this reading I felt, as the Set trooped on board, like an anxious hen-mother who, contrary to her fears, has safely returned a brood of ducklings to the home chicken-coop after a swim out to sea.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But there was one duckling valued so much more than all the rest (how much more I had realized only when, cackling on the bank, I saw it on the wave)--that knowing it was safe made me hysterical with joy.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I valued each duckling, even the least downy, far more than I had dreamed it would be possible.
