used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
(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 Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/
an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
Charley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
one or the other of two
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
at any time
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
gnawverbUS /nɔː/
bite or chew on with the teeth
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
a small worthless amount
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
the act of departing
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
engage in
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
NESTSnounUS /nests/
plural of “nest” — a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
and nothing more
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
polesnounUS /poʊlz/
plural of “pole” — a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
puppiesnounUS /ˈpʌpiz/
plural of “puppy” — a young dog
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
pupsnounUS /pʌps/
plural of “pup” — young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
precisely, exactly
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
sprucenounUS /spruːs/
light soft moderately strong wood of spruce trees; used especially for timbers and millwork
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
sticksnounUS /stɪks/
plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
They're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
a special situation
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS The next day Hugh and Jack set out to return to the ranch.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
toughadjectiveUS /tʌf/
not given to gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
except if; if not
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading They're so big now that I think it's pretty doubtful whether they ever get tame at all, and of course if they don't get tame, the only thing to do is to kill them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading Before leaving, all hands went out and took a look at the wolf puppies.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "After they get a little bigger," said Hugh to Charley, "unless they should grow tame, you will either have to drive more poles into the ground or else you'll have to kill the pups.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading They seemed to be all right, but had evidently made some attempts to gnaw their way out, but their young teeth could not make much impression in the tough spruce sticks which formed their cage.
