used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
(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 He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
bugsnounUS /bʌɡz/
plural of “bug” — general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
DickynounUS /ˈdɪki/
a small third seat in the back of an old-fashioned two-seater
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
DuckverbUS /dʌk/
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
envynounUS /ˈenvi/
a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
a boy or man
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
set up or found
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
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 "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
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 He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
a form of address for a man
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
and nothing more
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
plumpadjectiveUS /plʌmp/
sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
shineverbUS /ʃaɪn/
be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading Dicky did not go near enough for Mr. Fox to catch him, but Mr. Fox could see that he was a nice plump duck and it made his eyes shine with longing to look at him.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "Ah me," he sighed as Dicky swam by, "if only I knew some wise creature to ask!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
swimmingnounUS /ˈswɪmɪŋ/
the act of swimming
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
precisely as stated
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
at the time that
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
in or at the place that
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading But one day Dicky Duck almost lost his life by thinking he was so wise, for he was swimming around the pond when he came to the woods where Mr. Fox was hiding back of some bushes.
wormsnounUS /wɜːrmz/
plural of “worm” — any of numerous relatively small elongated soft-bodied animals especially of the phyla Annelida and Chaetognatha and Nematoda and Nemertea and Platyhelminthes; also many insect larvae
From this reading He swam about the pond alone long before his brothers left their mother, and such worms and bugs and things of that sort as he found made all the other young ducks quite green with envy.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Dicky Duck was a very wise young fellow.
