used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
AREauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading HOW BABY BIRDS ARE FED.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading HOW BABY BIRDS ARE FED.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading HOW BABY BIRDS ARE FED.
bruisesnounUS /ˈbruːzəz/
plural of “bruise” — an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
coltsnounUS /koʊlts/
plural of “colt” — a young male horse under the age of four
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
dependentadjectiveUS /dɪˈpendənt/
relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
digestverbUS /daɪˈdʒest/
convert food into absorbable substances
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Others eat just what the old birds do from the start.
take in solid food
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
FEDnounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading HOW BABY BIRDS ARE FED.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Others eat just what the old birds do from the start.
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW BABY BIRDS ARE FED.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
and nothing more
From this reading Others eat just what the old birds do from the start.
lambsnounUS /læmz/
plural of “lamb” — young sheep
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
nurslings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Others eat just what the old birds do from the start.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
and nothing more
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
Others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Others eat just what the old birds do from the start.
parentnounUS /ˈperənt/
a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
scratchingnounUS /ˈskrætʃɪŋ/
a harsh noise made by scraping
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Others eat just what the old birds do from the start.
swallowverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊ/
pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some of the baby birds are nurslings, like the lambs and colts.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
throatsnounUS /θroʊts/
plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
twigverbUS /twɪɡ/
branch out in a twiglike manner
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They are dependent upon what the parent birds first eat and digest.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Only you will notice that the mother bird pounds and bruises the food she gives to her young, tapping it on the edge of the nest or on a twig or the ground until it is soft enough for the birds to swallow without danger of scratching their tender throats.
