used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
addressesnounUS /ˈæˈdresɪz/
plural of “address” — (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
fearless and daring
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
conquerverbUS /ˈkɑːŋkər/
bring under control by force or authority
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
unvarying in nature
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
declaresverbUS /dɪˈklerz/
third-person singular of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
drovesnounUS /droʊvz/
plural of “drove” — a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
haggardadjectiveUS /ˈhæɡərd/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
hindnounUS /haɪnd/
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
industrialadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdʌstriəl/
of or relating to or resulting from industry
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
staying power
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
the force of workers available
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
and nothing more
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
penetratesverbUS /ˈpenətreɪts/
third-person singular of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
scampernounUS /ˈskæmpər/
rushing about hastily in an undignified way
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
squealingadjectiveUS /ˈskwiːlɪŋ/
having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
plural of “stand” — a support or foundation
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Behind the walls the mice scamper about in droves, and there is much squealing and chattering.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
toilverbUS /tɔɪl/
work hard
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Now and then a bold mouse stands upon his hind legs and addresses the others.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
in or at the place that
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
which person or people
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He declares he will force his way through the walls and conquer the gods who have built the house.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading They live within the dark walls of the houses where only a dim light penetrates, and so many have come that they grow thin and haggard with the constant toil of getting food and warmth.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Modern men and women who live in industrial cities are like mice that have come out of the fields to live in houses that do not belong to them.
