used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
ancestornounUS /ˈænsestər/
someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
ashy-blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
black-spotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
breastsnounUS /brests/
plural of “breast” — the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
changeableadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəbəl/
capable of or tending to change in form or quality or nature
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
crumbleverbUS /ˈkrʌmbəl/
fall apart
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
dominatesverbUS /ˈdɑːməneɪts/
third-person singular of “dominate” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
dove-cotes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
EmilenounUS /eɪˈmiːl/
the boy whose upbringing was described by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
From this reading “That is exactly the ordinary plumage of our pigeons,” said Emile.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading “That is exactly the ordinary plumage of our pigeons,” said Emile.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
inhabitsverbUS /ɪnˈhæbəts/
third-person singular of “inhabit” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “That is exactly the ordinary plumage of our pigeons,” said Emile.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
lusternounUS /ˈlʌstər/
a quality that outshines the usual
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
characterized by grandeur
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
movesnounUS /muːvz/
plural of “move” — the act of deciding to do something
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
many times at short intervals
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading “That is exactly the ordinary plumage of our pigeons,” said Emile.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
peckverbUS /pek/
hit lightly with a picking motion
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
PIGEONnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
pigeonsnounUS /ˈpɪdʒənz/
plural of “pigeon” — wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading “That is exactly the ordinary plumage of our pigeons,” said Emile.
plumagenounUS /ˈpluːmədʒ/
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
pure-white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
a purple color or pigment
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
resemblancenounUS /rɪˈzembləns/
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
rock-pigeon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “That is exactly the ordinary plumage of our pigeons,” said Emile.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
at the time that
From this reading “When they come and peck the bread that I crumble for them in the sun, I like to see their magnificent breasts shining first with one color and then with another, every time the bird moves.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The neck and breast are changeable in color according to the light in which they are seen, and shine with a metallic luster, in which sometimes purple and sometimes golden green dominates.”
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading THE PIGEON “The strong resemblance that the tame pigeon often bears to the wild one known as the rock-pigeon makes us suspect this latter to be the ancestor of the bird that inhabits our dove-cotes.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The rock-pigeon has ashy-blue plumage with black-spotted wings and pure-white tail.
