used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
bright-eyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
burrownounUS /ˈbɜːroʊ/
a hole made by an animal, usually for shelter
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
cleftnounUS /kleft/
a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
débris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
evidencesnounUS /ˈevədənsəz/
plural of “evidence” — your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
foxesnounUS /ˈfɑːksəz/
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 This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
HitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
lairnounUS /ler/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
occupancynounUS /ˈɑːkjəpənsi/
an act of being a tenant or occupant
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
overhangingverbUS /ˈoʊvərhæŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
removingverbUS /riˈmuːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “remove” — remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
resumeverbUS /rɪˈzuːm/
take up or begin anew
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
rockyadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːki/
abounding in rocks or stones
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
get by special effort
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
securitynounUS /sɪˈkjʊrəti/
the state of being free from danger or injury
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
have in common
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
in the near future
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
confined on all sides
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
temporaryadjectiveUS /ˈtempəreri/
not permanent; not lasting
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The new lair on the ridge, being little more than a cleft in the rock, had been accepted as a mere temporary affair.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
transferredverbUS /trænˈsfɜːrd/
inflected form of “transfer” — transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
(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 This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
well-drained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So secure was the retreat that they were comparatively careless about hiding the entrance or removing the evidences of their occupancy.
whelps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
in or at the place that
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was the place the foxes needed for security; and here, as soon as the frost was well out, and the mother fox ready to resume her full share of the hunting, the two dug out a new burrow, which ran far under an overhanging rock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
woollyadjectiveUS /ˈwʊli/
having a fluffy character or appearance
From this reading Hither, with great satisfaction, they transferred the bright-eyed, woolly whelps.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Near by, however, was a deep and well-drained pocket of dry earth, hard to come at, and surrounded by an expanse of rocky débris where scent would not lie.
