used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
(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 Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
towards the shore from the water
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
brought into existence
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
cellarsnounUS /ˈselərz/
plural of “cellar” — the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
chicknounUS /tʃɪk/
young bird especially of domestic fowl
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
ChicksnounUS /tʃɪks/
plural of “chick” — young bird especially of domestic fowl
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
cowsnounUS /kaʊz/
domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
divenounUS /daɪv/
a cheap disreputable nightclub or dance hall
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
drainsnounUS /dreɪnz/
plural of “drain” — emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
eggnounUS /eɡ/
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
grazeverbUS /ɡreɪz/
feed as in a meadow or pasture
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
growsverbUS /ɡroʊz/
third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
inconvenientadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkənˈviːnjənt/
not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
InstinctsnounUS /ˈɪnstɪŋkts/
plural of “instinct” — inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
KittensnounUS /ˈkɪtənz/
plural of “kitten” — young domestic cat
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
engage in
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
molesnounUS /moʊlz/
plural of “mole” — the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
plural of “page” — one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
pasturesnounUS /ˈpæstʃərz/
plural of “pasture” — a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
with low volume
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
To recall to mind.
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
sealsnounUS /siːlz/
plural of “seal” — fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
twenty-onenounUS /ˈtwentiwɔːn/
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading It lies quietly and grows, until it is twenty-one days old.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading As it is, each creature has the particular set of instincts which make it want to do the things which it can do best.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
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 It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Some Instincts of Chicks and Kittens It certainly is a most fortunate circumstance that all animals are born with a natural instinct for doing the particular things which they will have to do to make a living in the world.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would certainly be most inconvenient if moles and rats had an instinct to fly, and birds wanted to hide in drains and cellars; if cows thought they must dive into the water to catch fish, and seals tried to come ashore and graze in the pastures.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You remember what I told you in first pages of this book about the little chick inside the egg.
