used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
(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 He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
for the reason that
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
bolenounUS /boʊl/
a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
the lower side of anything
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Ouphe hadn’t seen him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
crouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
elmnounUS /elm/
any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
field-mice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
FOOLSnounUS /fuːlz/
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Ouphe hadn’t seen him.
HAYSTACKnounUS /ˈheɪstæk/
a stack of hay
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Ouphe hadn’t seen him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
nastiestadjectiveUS /ˈnæstiəst/
superlative of “nasty” — offensive or even (of persons) malicious
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
NIBBLEverbUS /ˈnɪbəl/
bite off very small pieces
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
OUPHE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
politeadjectiveUS /pəˈlaɪt/
showing regard for others in manners, speech, behavior, etc.
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
rabbitnounUS /ˈræbət/
any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
ratnounUS /ræt/
any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But Ouphe hadn’t seen him.
sneeredverbUS /snɪrd/
past form of “sneer” — express through a scornful smile
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
sparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
squallingadjective
characterized by short periods of noisy commotion
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
SwappingverbUS /ˈswɑːpɪŋ/
inflected form of “swap” — exchange or give (something) in exchange for
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was sure of it because Ouphe kept squalling at the sparrows all the nastiest things he could put his tongue to.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
weren't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And the sparrows, swinging from a branch of the elm tree that leaned above him, weren’t much more polite.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading NIBBLE FOOLS OUPHE IN HIS OWN HAYSTACK The little rabbit crouched down in the bole in the bottom of the haystack not three feet away from the wicked rat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Swapping lies with the field-mice, were you?” sneered Ouphe.
