Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

harsh or corrosive in tone

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

(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 might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

any of various edible seeds of plants of the family Leguminosae used for food

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

the region of the body of a vertebrate between the thorax and the pelvis

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

in addition to; as well as

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

a drill for penetrating rock

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

plural of “build” — constitution of the human body

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

To consume or be consumed by fire.

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

in a busy manner

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

without stop or interruption

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

past form of “decline” — grow worse

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

an opposing military force

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

the organ of sight

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

record in a public office or in a court of law

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

of or relating to or derived from ants

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

the act of departing

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

displaying superhuman strength or power

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

scrape or rub as if to relieve itching

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

large or big relative to something else

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

hear with intention

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

plural of “noun” — a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

and nothing more

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

by chance

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

spoil as if by poison

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

plural of “produce” — fresh fruits and vegetable grown for the market

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

a reddish brown homespun fabric

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

cut with a saw

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

the meaning of a word or expression; the way in which a word or expression or situation can be interpreted

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

a female person who has the same parents as another person

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

walk stiffly

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

sustained or maintained by aid (as distinct from physical support)

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

precisely as stated

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He was going on to add that mandibula signified jaw bone; abdomen, meant belly.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading They call him rusa, which means russet.

during the time that

From this reading He might, perhaps, while he was in this mood, have declined all these nouns, but his little sister had ceased to listen; she was following with her eye a file of her small black ants, and she saw them go and come very busily upon a small stick which supported her only bean stalk.

which person or people

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)

From this reading It is he who produces the formic acid, a poison which he sheds with his abdomen into the bite which he makes with his mandibles or jaws, which makes the wound a little red, and makes it itch and burn a little."

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Besides the herculean borer," he continued, "there is another ant in the forests, much larger than your enemy, and who builds mountains.