used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
abusedadjectiveUS /əˈbjuːzd/
used improperly or excessively especially drugs
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
(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 But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
in addition
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
complimentaryadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːmpləˈmentəri/
conveying or resembling a compliment
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
crowsnounUS /kroʊz/
plural of “crow” — black birds having a raucous call
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
divisible by two
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
at any time
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
the organ of sight
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/
adorned with feathers or plumes
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
set up or found
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
holdsnounUS /hoʊldz/
plural of “hold” — the act of grasping
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
hustleverbUS /ˈhʌsəl/
cause to move furtively and hurriedly
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
jaynounUS /dʒeɪ/
United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
jaysnounUS /dʒeɪz/
plural of “jay” — United States diplomat and jurist who negotiated peace treaties with Britain and served as the first chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1745-1829)
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
plural of “make” — a recognizable kind
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own eggs.
plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/
Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
with speed
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
retortsnounUS /rɪˈtɔːrts/
plural of “retort” — a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
robinsnounUS /ˈrɑːbənz/
plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
roundlyadverbUS /ˈraʊndli/
in a round manner
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
only a very short time before
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
sneakingadjectiveUS /ˈsniːkɪŋ/
not openly expressed
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
ThiefnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
the upper part of anything
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off.
at the time that
From this reading But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly exposed and roundly abused.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It is amusing to see the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their nest.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered tribes?
