used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
backbiteverbUS /ˈbækbaɪt/
say mean things
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
grapesnounUS /ɡreɪps/
plural of “grape” — any of various juicy fruit of the genus Vitis with green or purple skins; grow in clusters
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
Guv'nor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
ichneumonnoun
northern African mongoose; in ancient times thought to devour crocodile eggs
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
impudentadjective
marked by casual disrespect
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
MAN'SnounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
make reference to
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
mongoosenounUS /ˈmɑːŋɡuːs/
agile grizzled Old World viverrine; preys on snakes and rodents
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
information about recent and important events
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
not any; not one
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
outlandishadjectiveUS /aʊtˈlændɪʃ/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
ParrotnounUS /ˈperət/
usually brightly colored zygodactyl tropical birds with short hooked beaks and the ability to mimic sounds
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
quadrupeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
sidledverbUS /ˈsaɪdəld/
past form of “sidle” — move unobtrusively or furtively
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
smirkingverbUS /ˈsmɜːrkɪŋ/
-ing form of “smirk” — smile affectedly or derisively
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
express in words
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
Tibnoun
a unit of information equal to 1024 gibibytes or 2^40 (1,099,511,627,776) bytes
From this reading Those insignificant quadrupeds, Dan and Tib, thought that I was out of the fun.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading They always do think that, until they come smirking to me for news; then they go off and backbite me behind my tail feathers.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
whelpnoun
young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
From this reading That impudent whelp, Dan, sidled up this morning to ask me what a mongoose was.
at the time that
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When I was weak enough, at the mention of grapes, to tell him it was an ichneumon, he had the cheek to call me some outlandish name that no decent bird would dream of using.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE BLACK MAN'S WAY _Told by Polly, the Parrot_ You will observe that I was left in the dining-room with the Guv'nor.
