used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
catchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't I?
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
gobblingverbUS /ˈɡɑːbəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “gobble” — eat hastily without proper chewing
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Don't I?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
immediately past
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
Minnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
Minnie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
minnowsnounUS /ˈmɪnoʊz/
plural of “minnow” — very small European freshwater fish common in gravelly streams
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
pitcher-plant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
be seated
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So Minnie came out of her hiding-place, and asked stork if he remembered her.
STORKnounUS /stɔːrk/
large mostly Old World wading birds typically having white-and-black plumage
From this reading STORK.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
wadedverbUS /ˈweɪdɪd/
past form of “wade” — walk (through relatively shallow water)
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
wadingnounUS /ˈweɪdɪŋ/
walking with your feet in shallow water
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
at the time that
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading A few days after Minnie's escape from the pitcher-plant she heard the minnows telling each other about a dreadful creature, that had been wading in the brook, catching the fish in his wide bill, and gobbling them down two or three at a time.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She thought it must be the stork, and that she would keep out of his way; but, when he really came at last, she couldn't help feeling how nice it would be to sit high and dry on his back while he waded up and down the stream.