aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
barn-cat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
fearless and daring
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
cat'snounUS /kæts/
possessive form of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
a young person of either sex
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
easy-tempered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
the act of consuming food
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
opinion or judgment
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
a boy or man
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
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 “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
mangernounUS /ˈmeɪndʒər/
a container (usually in a barn or stable) from which cattle or horses feed
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
micenounUS /maɪs/
plural of “mouse” — any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
oatsnounUS /oʊts/
plural of “oat” — annual grass of Europe and North Africa; grains used as food and fodder (referred to primarily in the plural: “oats”)
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
participate in games or sport
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
ratsnounUS /ræts/
plural of “rat” — any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
have in common
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
stealverbUS /stiːl/
take without the owner's consent
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
carry out
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
precisely as stated
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE next morning Major, the horse, was eagerly eating his breakfast of nice fresh oats.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
at the time that
From this reading “I knew how it would be when she told me she must go and see Mrs. Polly about this plan of bringing that child Nancy here.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading ‘When the cat’s away the mice will play;’ and what’s more, the rats too.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was an easy-tempered fellow, but this morning he was greatly annoyed, and with good reason; he was very hungry and must share his breakfast with several rats that were bold enough to venture into his manger and steal his oats from before his very eyes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I do wish my friend the barn-cat would not take the opportunity to go out while I am eating,” said Major to himself.
