used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
(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 Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
ant-hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
antsnounUS /ænts/
plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
crushverbUS /krʌʃ/
come down on or keep down by unjust use of one's authority
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
wanted intensely
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
disturbverbUS /dɪˈstɜːrb/
move deeply
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
divisible by two
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
set up or found
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
harmlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrmləs/
not causing or capable of causing harm
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
heelnounUS /hiːl/
the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
horse-fly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
investigatingnounUS /ˌɪnˈvestəɡeɪtɪŋ/
the work of inquiring into something thoroughly and systematically
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
a small worthless amount
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
held dear
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
many times at short intervals
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
PipernounUS /ˈpaɪpər/
someone who plays the bagpipe
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
on the contrary
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
an educational institution
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading He did not stamp, with his heel, on the ant-hills, and crush the houses of the little busy creatures, and kill the people in them.
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 _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Some boys do this, and think there is fun in it; but Jack looked upon all innocent and harmless creatures with a feeling of affection, and he loved rather to help them, than to kill or disturb them.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading As he had now learnt something about the ants, he desired to know more: so he used very often to go and look at them.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Jack gets better acquainted with his new friends.――The story of the dead horse-fly.――Aunt Piper._ I have told you in the preceding chapter, how Jack watched the ants in the garden, and how he found out their ways of living.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He was very young at this time, and having never been to school, he did not even know how to read: but by observing and investigating things, he had obtained a good deal of knowledge.
