used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
(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 Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
alligatornounUS /ˈæləɡeɪtər/
leather made from alligator's hide
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
from appearances alone
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
apprehensiveadjectiveUS /ˌæprɪˈhensɪv/
quick to understand
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
in a state of sleep
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
third-person singular of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
Bedelia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
condignadjective
fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
cubnounUS /kʌb/
an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
disgustedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡʌstəd/
having a strong distaste from surfeit
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
flownverbUS /floʊn/
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
set up or found
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
heartlessadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrtləs/
lacking in feeling or pity or warmth
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
ill-behaved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
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 Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
the act of departing
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
not able to be found
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
mournedverbUS /mɔːrnd/
past form of “mourn” — feel sadness
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
nickelnounUS /ˈnɪkəl/
a hard malleable ductile silvery metallic element that is resistant to corrosion; used in alloys; occurs in pentlandite and smaltite and garnierite and millerite
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
not any; not one
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
not one, and not any
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
pillownounUS /ˈpɪloʊ/
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
pranknounUS /præŋk/
acting like a clown or buffoon
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
preferableadjectiveUS /ˈprefərəbəl/
more desirable than another
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
prescriptionnounUS /prəˈskrɪpʃən/
directions prescribed beforehand; the action of prescribing authoritative rules or directions
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
the act of punishing
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
on the contrary
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
sedativenounUS /ˈsedətɪv/
a drug that reduces excitability and calms a person
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
a person, without saying who
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
in the near future
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
sorrowingadjective
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
express in words
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
TerrifiedadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪd/
thrown into a state of intense fear or desperation
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Bedelia Becomes Literary._ HE found Bedelia fast asleep and apparently in small need of a sedative, and, leaving the prescription on her pillow, retired to his perch in a rather disgusted frame of mind.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
unnecessaryadjectiveUS /ənˈnesəseri/
not necessary
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
untimelyadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪmli/
badly timed
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Not until next morning was it discovered the baby cub was missing.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
whitheradverbUS /ˈwɪðər/
an old word meaning “to where”
From this reading Terrified by the dire result of his heartless prank, and apprehensive of condign punishment, he had flown no one knew whither, and truth to tell, nobody appeared to care a nickel, but all declared that the room of such an ill-behaved little animal was indeed preferable to his company.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading For the alligator had been greatly liked and his untimely and wholly unnecessary taking off was mourned by a large circle of sorrowing friends.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading And none too soon, for immediately the wheels inside him ceased to go around and he became dead to the world until someone should come along with a key.
