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 was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

(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 It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

pleasantly occupied

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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 It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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 Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

any of several trees of the genus Populus having leaves on flattened stalks so that they flutter in the lightest wind

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

plural of “burden” — an onerous or difficult concern

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

plural of “carcass” — the dead body of an animal especially one slaughtered and dressed for food

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

a loving feeling

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

a young person of either sex

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

persuaded of; very sure

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

provide as food

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

plural of “flock” — a church congregation guided by a pastor

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

one retired from society for religious reasons

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

an opening into or through something

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

-ing form of “intend” — have in mind as a purpose

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

a polite name for any woman

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

set down according to a plan

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

a particular point in time

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

in a nice way

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

causing physical or psychological pain

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

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 It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

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

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

in the near future

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

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

From this reading She was, with painful astonishment, soon convinced that these were the carcasses of all sorts of insects.

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

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading "It is a nation of hunters," she said, "more savage than those which feed their flocks on my aspen."

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

in the direction of

From this reading At this moment, a great ant attracted the attention of the child towards the lower part of the mountain.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Much amused at this, Piccolissima tried to find out what a great number of ants, all with burdens, were carrying.

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

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was a dead leaf in which an egg had been laid and nicely rolled up by the parent, and which my lady ant had taken for a beam, or something of the sort, and the vexed hermit scampered away, carrying his house with him, not caring at all for the hole which he and his house had been intending to mend.