used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
(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 They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
put or pin the blame on
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
take in liquids
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
take in solid food
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
at any time
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
Goliah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
kitsnounUS /kɪts/
plural of “kit” — a case for containing a set of articles
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
not any; not one
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
and nothing more
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
p-ooo-s
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
Poos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
deliver by singing
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
squirrelsnounUS /ˈskwɜːrəlz/
plural of “squirrel” — a kind of arboreal rodent having a long bushy tail
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They thought all little animals ought to be eaten up by kits, if kits could catch them.
precisely as stated
From this reading Not that they ever got very hungry, for they always had enough, and more than enough, in their plates around at the back of the kitchen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Of course it was too bad for them to catch the birds and squirrels; but they were not really to blame, for they did not know any better.
at the time that
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
in or to any place at all
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was fun to see their heads close together in the dish; only Goliah would never eat with the others.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Every morning and evening, when the man brought the fresh milk, their dishes were filled, and when they heard him sing out, “Poos, p-ooo-s, p-ooo-s,” they would come running out of the woods, or from under the house, or off the porch, or wherever they happened to be,—for no matter how many mice and squirrels and birds they had eaten they were always able to drink a little milk.
