used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
(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 knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
BASKETSnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
blindedadjectiveUS /ˈblaɪndɪd/
deprived of sight
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
the two together, not just one
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
lacking funds
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
Causleen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
chuckledverbUS /ˈtʃʌkəld/
past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
drinking-places
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
forestersnounUS /ˈfɔːrəstərz/
plural of “forester” — English writer of adventure novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower (1899-1966)
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
brought together in one place
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
grousenounUS /ɡraʊs/
flesh of any of various grouse of the family Tetraonidae; usually roasted; flesh too dry to broil
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
Hardcastle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
Hardcastle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
temporary military shelter
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
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 He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
staying power
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
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 THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
loopedverbUS /luːpt/
past form of “loop” — move in loops
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
moorverbUS /mʊr/
secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
Murgatroyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
and nothing more
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
pasturenounUS /ˈpæstʃər/
a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
poachingnounUS /ˈpoʊtʃɪŋ/
cooking in simmering liquid
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
spoilsnounUS /spɔɪlz/
plural of “spoil” — (usually plural) valuables taken by violence (especially in war)
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
sweeteradjectiveUS /ˈswiːtər/
comparative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
swirlverbUS /swɜːrl/
turn in a twisting or spinning motion
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
carry out
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
tempestnounUS /ˈtempəst/
a violent commotion or disturbance
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
they'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
They're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “They’re Hardcastle’s birds,” he chuckled, “and they’ll taste sweeter in the pot for that.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
usesnounUS /ˈjuːsəz/
plural of “use” — the act of using
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He reached the first pasture only to be blinded by the swirl of snow, so that he had to creep forward, feeling his way.
WEAVERnounUS /ˈwiːvər/
a craftsman who weaves cloth
From this reading THE WEAVER OF BASKETS I Before the storm broke that drove Causleen and Hardcastle into shelter of the foresters’ hut, Long Murgatroyd had been poaching up the moor.
at the time that
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading He knew all about the uses of a wire looped at both ends and set across the tracks the grouse took to their drinking-places; and he laughed as he gathered his spoils together and turned for home.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He had got half down the moor when the first of the tempest struck him, and he ran for the lower country as fast as his great legs would take him.
