used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading All was peace about the little farmyard.
adeptadjectiveUS /əˈdept/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
adriftadjectiveUS /əˈdrɪft/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
(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 All was peace about the little farmyard.
in addition
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
audacitynounUS /ɑːˈdæs.ə.t̬i/
A willingness to take bold risks; insolent and daring boldness that defies all authority.
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
barnyardnounUS /ˈbɑːrnjɑːrd/
a yard adjoining a barn
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
for the reason that
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
bravadonounUS /brəˈvɑːdoʊ/
a swaggering show of courage
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
chip-strewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
curnounUS /kɜːr/
an inferior dog or one of mixed breed
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
diminishedadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/
impaired by diminution
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
exileverbUS /ˈeɡzaɪl/
expel from a country
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
a social unit living together
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
farmsnounUS /fɑːrmz/
plural of “farm” — workplace consisting of farm buildings and cultivated land as a unit
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
farmyardnounUS /ˈfɑːrmjɑːrd/
an area adjacent to farm buildings
From this reading All was peace about the little farmyard.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
intolerantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərənt/
unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
lairnounUS /ler/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
lilacnounUS /ˈlaɪlæk/
any of various plants of the genus Syringa having large panicles of usually fragrant flowers
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading All was peace about the little farmyard.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
a particular point in time
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
not any; not one
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
outburstnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrst/
an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading All was peace about the little farmyard.
by chance
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
raidverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
remoter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
action taken in return for an injury or offense
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
except for; apart from
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
self-restraintnoun
exhibiting restraint imposed on the self
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
get rid of
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
precisely as stated
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
violetnounUS /ˈvaɪəlɪt/
any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
past form of “wander” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
weather-beatenadjective
tanned and coarsened from being outdoors
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading For some days after this sudden flight into exile, the diminished family wandered wide, having no fixed lair and feeling very much adrift.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It seemed a reckless piece of audacity; but the old fox knew there were no dogs at this farm save a single small and useless cur; and she knew, also, that the farmer was no adept with the gun.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The golden lilac light made wonderful the chip-strewn yard and the rough, weather-beaten roofs of cabin and barn and shed.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In a curious outburst of bravado or revenge, or perhaps because she for the moment grew intolerant of her long self-restraint, the mother fox one violet sunset led her two young ones in fierce raid upon the barnyard of one of the remoter farms.
