used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
completely unclothed
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
bloodthirstyadjectiveUS /ˈblʌdθɜːrsti/
marked by eagerness to resort to violence and bloodshed
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
the two together, not just one
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
without deviation
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
divedverbUS /daɪvd/
past form of “dive” — drop steeply
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
divisible by two
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
experiencesnounUS /ɪkˈspɪriənsɪz/
plural of “experience” — the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct participation in events or activities
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
made afraid
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
leapnounUS /liːp/
a light, self-propelled movement upwards or forwards
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
nailsnounUS /neɪlz/
plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
nakedadjectiveUS /ˈneɪkəd/
completely unclothed
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
a course of conduct
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
sinkingnounUS /ˈsɪŋkɪŋ/
a descent as through liquid (especially through water)
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
the upper part of anything
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading By instinct more than reason he dived and went down as far as possible.
at the time that
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
WILDCATnounUS /ˈwaɪldkæt/
an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
From this reading WILDCAT AND WATER Dave was both startled and alarmed when the wildcat came down almost on top of his bare head, and even more frightened when the beast made a leap for his naked shoulder.
wildcat's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as the water closed over the wildcat's head it let go its hold and began to swim for the shore.
wildcatsnounUS /ˈwaɪldkæts/
plural of “wildcat” — an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had had several experiences with wildcats and knew them to be both powerful and bloodthirsty.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Henry was directly in the path of the beast and in a second more, ere the young soldier had time to think of diving, the wildcat was on his back, sinking its cruel nails deeply into his flesh.
