Chapter IV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

(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 In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

react verbally

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

a member of any of a large number of linguistically related peoples of Central and South Africa

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

for the reason that

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

the sound made by a cat (or any sound resembling this)

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

not caught with the senses or the mind

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

by chance

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

a companion at play

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

recurring again and again

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

uttered with a trill

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

a thing, without saying which

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading She had been feeling a little jealous that day, because Mpoko and every one else gave so much attention to the dogs.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

precisely as stated

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

desired or wished for or sought

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE CAT AND THE RAT On the fourth night of the Alo Man’s stay, Nkunda was looking for her cat.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading It seemed as if the cat too might be jealous, or perhaps the dogs were so proud of themselves that they wanted the village to themselves, for Nkunda had not seen her pet since the night before.

at the time that

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Even the baby, rolling about in the doorway, had missed his playmate, and he repeated Nkunda’s call, which sounded very like cat language.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading In the Ki-sukama dialect of the Bantu language the cat is called Ca-ungu, in the Ki-fipa dialect, Inyao, and in Isi-nyixa talk it is Unyawu; but all these names sound like the little “miaou” that the cat makes when she has something to show you, and this was the sound that came out of the darkness in answer to Nkunda’s call.