used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
alternatelyadverbUS /ˈɔːltərnətli/
in an alternating sequence or position
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
in a state of sleep
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
formed or made thin by hammering
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
forefootnounUS /ˈfɔːrfʊt/
a front foot of a quadruped
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
Gerowlia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
HaggardadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
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 Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
narrowlyadverbUS /ˈneroʊli/
in a narrow manner; not allowing for exceptions
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
patentedadjectiveUS /ˈpætəntɪd/
(of devices and processes) protected by patent
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
placidlyadverbUS /ˈplæsɪdli/
in a quiet and tranquil manner
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
RidernounUS /ˈraɪdər/
a traveler who actively rides an animal (as a horse or camel)
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
express in words
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
squawked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
squawkingverbUS /ˈskwɔːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “squawk” — utter a harsh abrupt scream
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
not in physical motion
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
the rays of the sun
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
a special situation
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
the main stem of a tree; usually covered with bark; the bole is usually the part that is commercially useful for lumber
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
verandahnoun
a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed)
From this reading She backed out of the verandah, still squawking, on three feet and in the open held up near and off forefoot alternately to be beaten.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was very pitiful, for one swing of her trunk could have knocked the Englishman flat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
whackingnounUS /ˈwækɪŋ/
the act of inflicting corporal punishment with repeated blows
From this reading He ceased whacking her, but she squawked for some minutes and then fell placidly asleep in the sunshine.
which person or people
From this reading Gerowlia held up her foot to be beaten, and made the most absurd noises--squawked, in fact, exactly like an old lady who has narrowly escaped being run over.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Then, as Rider Haggard used to say--though the expression was patented by at least one writer before he made it his own--a curious thing happened.
