used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
have
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
bendverbUS /bend/
form a curve
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
blowingnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
cavalcadenounUS /ˈkævəlkeɪd/
a procession of people traveling on horseback
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
From this reading Otherwise a bear has a rather silly looking countenance.
cubsnounUS /kʌbz/
plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
half-grown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Otherwise a bear has a rather silly looking countenance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
hold-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
man-peril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
in other respects or ways
From this reading Otherwise a bear has a rather silly looking countenance.
peacefullyadverbUS /ˈpiːsfəli/
in a peaceful manner
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
poniesnounUS /ˈpoʊniz/
plural of “pony” — a range horse of the western United States
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
on the contrary
From this reading Otherwise a bear has a rather silly looking countenance.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading Otherwise a bear has a rather silly looking countenance.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
touristsnounUS /ˈtʊrəsts/
plural of “tourist” — someone who travels for pleasure
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The larger bear, the mother of the two half-grown cubs, instantly realized the danger of their position.
except if; if not
From this reading There is nothing really savage looking about a bear unless it _is_ savage.
ursineadjective
of or relating to or similar to bears
From this reading It may have looked like an ursine hold-up to the tourists; but old Mother Bear was quite sure she and her cubs were in man-peril.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading These three bears had been walking peacefully down the trail, and were surprised at the sudden appearance of the cavalcade of ponies from around the bend, for such wind as was stirring was blowing down the trail.
