used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
BARKnounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
biscuitsnounUS /ˈbɪskəts/
plural of “biscuit” — small round bread leavened with baking-powder or soda
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
cookedadjectiveUS /kʊkt/
having been prepared for eating by the application of heat
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
the act of discovering something
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
dugoutnounUS /ˈdʌɡaʊt/
either of two low shelters on either side of a baseball diamond where the players and coaches sit during the game
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
estimatenounUS /ˈestəmət/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
at any time
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
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 Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
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 wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
LICKverbUS /lɪk/
beat thoroughly and conclusively in a competition or fight
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
many times at short intervals
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
possibilitiesnounUS /ˌpɑːsəˈbɪlətiz/
plural of “possibility” — a future prospect or potential
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
sour-dough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
SwanverbUS /swɑːn/
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
Swan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
tastedverbUS /ˈteɪstɪd/
past form of “taste” — have flavor; taste of something
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
someone who visits
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
look attentively
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Not often did a man ride that way, though occasionally some one stopped for a meal if he knew that the cabin was there and had ever tasted Swan's sour-dough biscuits.
at the time that
From this reading His instrument was not a large one, and the dugout door was thick,--as a precaution against discovery if he should be called when some visitor chanced to be in the cabin.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
wirelessnounUS /ˈwaɪrlɪs/
medium for communication
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He wanted to be sure that help had started and to be able to estimate within an hour or two the probable time of its arrival, before he left the wireless.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Jack he fed and left on watch outside the cabin, so that he could without risk keep open the door to the dugout.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
YACKnounUS /jæk/
noisy talk
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "YACK, I LICK YOU GOOD IF YOU BARK" Swan cooked himself a hasty meal while he studied the various possibilities of the case and waited for further word from headquarters.
