Chapter VI

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

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

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

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

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

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

with anxiety or apprehension

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

a movement into or inward

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

a boy or man

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

Not remembered; lapsed from memory.

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

plural of “fox” — alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

past form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

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

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

destroyed or killed

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

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

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

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

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

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

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

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

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

pursue for food or sport (as of wild animals)

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

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

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

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

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

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 He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

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

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

not any; not one

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

being perceived or observed

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

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

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

on one occasion

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

marked by the reception of pay

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

plural of “path” — a course of conduct

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

existing in great number or quantity

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

not often

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

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

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

a long narrow natural elevation or striation

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

cut with a saw

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

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

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

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

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

having a tail of a specified kind; often used in combination

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

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

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

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

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

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

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

plural of “trap” — a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

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

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.

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

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

at the time that

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

at any time that; every time that

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

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

From this reading He and his mother had gone to Ben Slown’s fields to hunt the little short tailed meadow mice which were so plentiful there that their paths had been gnawed through the grass in every direction.

which person or people

From this reading There was, however, one cunning old fellow who paid a visit to the Ridge whenever there was especially good hunting weather.

in the company of; together with

From this reading With him, on one never to be forgotten night in late August, Red Ben had an adventure.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading They had caught two, and were once more entering Oak Ridge wood, when Red Ben noticed that his mother hesitated to go farther and kept anxiously looking into the shadows.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading GRAY FOX At first Red Ben saw no other foxes, and rarely came across the tracks of any, for Ben Slown’s traps did their work well.