used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
(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 Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
clawsnounUS /klɔːz/
plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
CrouchedverbUS /kraʊtʃt/
past form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/
five-toed pachyderm
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
filedverbUS /faɪld/
past form of “file” — record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
hiding-place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
Kathlyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
keepersnounUS /ˈkiːpərz/
plural of “keeper” — someone in charge of other people
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
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 But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
LEOPARDSnounUS /ˈlepərdz/
plural of “leopard” — the pelt of a leopard
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
and nothing more
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
needle-points
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
on one occasion
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
onslaughtnounUS /ˈɔːnslɔːt/
a sudden and severe onset of trouble
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
palanquinnoun
a closed litter carried on the shoulders of four bearers
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
Ramabai
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
scratchingnounUS /ˈskrætʃɪŋ/
a harsh noise made by scraping
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
sharpeningverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpənɪŋ/
-ing form of “sharpen” — make sharp or sharper
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
tottered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
tremendousadjectiveUS /trəˈmendəs/
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading Once she heard a tremendous scratching at the rear of her hiding-place; the palanquin tottered.
trumpetedverbUS /ˈtrʌmpətɪd/
past form of “trumpet” — proclaim on, or as if on, a trumpet
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
hard to endure
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THE SEVEN LEOPARDS Crouched in the palanquin Kathlyn waited for the onslaught of the leopards.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading An elephant trumpeted near by, and Kathlyn could have wept in despair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
in or at the place that
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But the animal was not trying to get inside; he was merely sharpening his claws after the manner of his kind, claws which were sharp enough, heaven knew, since, regularly, once a month the keepers filed them to needle-points.
showing curiosity
From this reading Outside the wall were friends, doubtless by this time joined by her father and Ramabai, and all wondering where she was.
