Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

with no effort to conceal

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

an animal with two feet

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

plural of “grimace” — a contorted facial expression

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended

From this reading The guests were showing signs of impatience.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

provoking horror

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay

From this reading The guests were showing signs of impatience.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

an animal especially a mammal having four limbs specialized for walking

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the display of a motion picture

From this reading The guests were showing signs of impatience.

plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)

From this reading The guests were showing signs of impatience.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

someone who expresses in language; someone who talks (especially someone who delivers a public speech or someone especially garrulous)

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

propel through the air

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Then he started to amuse himself making those little bread balls.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading I became uneasy myself for fear he might throw one of them at the speaker, something I wanted to do myself but did not dare.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The guests were showing signs of impatience.

at the time that

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading For fully half an hour, now, a little, rabbit sort of man, with big ears and completely bald, and wearing tortoise-shell spectacles, had been telling of his pursuit of prey, biped and quadruped, in distant places, with minute detail of how he had killed one of every species of beast and bird and fish in the world.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mr. Zzyx began making horrible grimaces, when Henry tapped him warningly on the arm.