used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
being joined in close association
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
confidentlyadverbUS /ˈkɑːnfədəntli/
with confidence; in a confident manner
From this reading "Oh no, they will not," said Dick confidently.
contrivedadjectiveUS /kənˈtraɪvd/
showing effects of planning or manipulation
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
customernounUS /ˈkʌstəmər/
someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
someone who is a detective
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
dog-chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
the act of departing
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
a small worthless amount
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
not any; not one
From this reading "Oh no, they will not," said Dick confidently.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Oh no, they will not," said Dick confidently.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading "Oh no, they will not," said Dick confidently.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Keep it, of course, father," said Jack.
express in words
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
in the near future
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
dependable
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Oh no, they will not," said Dick confidently.
they'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
a special situation
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
make an effort or attempt
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I say, what are you going to do?" cried his brother; "they'll kill the poor little thing."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading "Well, let us try," said Jack; and setting to work he soon contrived a collar of stout wire, which was wrapped round and round with thin leather, a dog-chain attached, and then the dogs were called by Dick.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't see any, `of course,'" he replied, smiling; "but try and keep it if you can, though I'm afraid you will find it an awkward customer to tame."
