used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
(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 a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
any thing at all
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
awkwardadjectiveUS /ˈɑːkwərd/
causing inconvenience
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
a small house with a single story
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
DashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
greatly pleased
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
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 Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
faithfulnessnounUS /ˈfeɪθfəlnes/
the quality of being faithful
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
the father of your father or mother
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
a boy or man
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
immediately past
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
held dear
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
MagnounUS /mæɡ/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
marvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
multitudenounUS /ˈmʌltətuːd/
a large indefinite number
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
people'snounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/
possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
perishingverbUS /ˈperɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “perish” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
piteouslyadverb
in a piteous manner
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
raggedadjectiveUS /ˈræɡəd/
being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
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 He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
terriernounUS /ˈteriər/
any of several usually small short-bodied breeds originally trained to hunt animals living underground
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
a special situation
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
tricksnounUS /trɪks/
plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
unboltverbUS /ˈʌnboʊlt/
undo the bolt of
From this reading “Go, Philip, lad, unbolt the door; it is likely some poor dog perishing in the storm.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
wailedverbUS /weɪld/
past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We are not so poor but we can give the poor thing food and shelter for the night.”
at the time that
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading He had come to the door of the cottage one wild, stormy night, and had wailed so piteously outside that Mag said at last:
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a ragged little terrier with a head much too large for his body, a short stump of a tail, and an awkward way of getting under people’s feet and of tumbling all over himself when he ran; but he was a marvel of faithfulness and affection, and could do a multitude of the clever tricks which Philip delighted to teach him.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Dash Next to Mag and his grandfather Philip loved his dog Dash better than anything else in the world.
