Chapter I

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

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading TALL TALES OF SPORT AND ADVENTURE.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

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

From this reading [=O] and [=o] represent O and o with macron.

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

an expectation

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

confined by bonds

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

plural of “chop” — the irregular motion of waves (usually caused by wind blowing in a direction opposite to the tide)

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

without stop or interruption

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

past form of “couch” — formulate in a particular style or language

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

a broad pleated sash worn as formal dress with a tuxedo

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

dearly loved

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

the organ of sight

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

with resolute determination

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

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

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

massive thick-skinned herbivorous animal living in or around rivers of tropical Africa

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

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

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

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

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

incapable of failure or error

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

full of or characterized by joy

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

a diacritical mark (-) placed above a vowel to indicate a long sound

From this reading [=O] and [=o] represent O and o with macron.

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

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

a form of address for a man

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust

From this reading [=O] and [=o] represent O and o with macron.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TALL TALES OF SPORT AND ADVENTURE.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

on one occasion

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

above and across; more than

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

admitting of being pardoned

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

a light shade of red

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

plural of “propensity” — an inclination to do something

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

The protective care of God or nature as a spiritual power. (Sự quan phòng, thiên ý phù hộ.)

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

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

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

provided with a secure reputation

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to

From this reading [=O] and [=o] represent O and o with macron.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

except for; apart from

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

a male human offspring

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition

From this reading TALL TALES OF SPORT AND ADVENTURE.

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

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

the act of marking with stripes

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading TALL TALES OF SPORT AND ADVENTURE.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading TALL TALES OF SPORT AND ADVENTURE.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading (_By Mr. Punch's own Short Story-teller._) I.--THE PINK HIPPOPOTAMUS.

showing lack of careful thought

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

bound or secured closely

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

a fierce or audacious person

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

in a tight or constricted manner

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

offering no resistance

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

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 (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

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

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading In front of him was couched a huge man-eating tiger--I recognised his hominivorous propensities at once by the peculiar striping of his left shoulder, an infallible sign to a sportsman's eye--licking his chops in joyous anticipation of the unresisting feast which Providence had thus thrown in his way.

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

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.

in the company of; together with

From this reading [=O] and [=o] represent O and o with macron.

the words that are spoken

From this reading (CONTINUED.) On the opposite side of the room, with his brave old back against the wall, stood my dear father, his arms tightly bound to his sides, and a cummerbund tied firmly over that mouth which had never, save in moments of thoughtless, but pardonable anger, spoken any but words of kindness to his son.