used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WAGTAILS, SHRIKES, THRUSHES, ETC.
divisible by two
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
moving swiftly
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
gnatnounUS /næt/
any of various small biting flies: midges; biting midges; black flies; sand flies
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
herbagenoun
succulent herbaceous vegetation of pasture land
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
an opening into or through something
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
insectnounUS /ˈɪnsekt/
small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
not any; not one
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
noticingverbUS /ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “notice” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
select carefully from a group
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
advancing or becoming higher or greater in degree or value or status
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
river-bank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
only a very short time before
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
SHRIKES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WAGTAILS, SHRIKES, THRUSHES, ETC.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
the season of growth
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
not in physical motion
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
THRUSHESnounUS /ˈθrʌʃəz/
plural of “thrush” — candidiasis of the oral cavity; seen mostly in infants or debilitated adults
From this reading WAGTAILS, SHRIKES, THRUSHES, ETC.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
under normal conditions
From this reading The nest of this bird is usually placed in a hole in a river-bank, or else among the spreading roots of a tree.
precisely as stated
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
wagtailnoun
Old World bird having a very long tail that jerks up and down as it walks
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
WAGTAILS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WAGTAILS, SHRIKES, THRUSHES, ETC.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
in or at the place that
From this reading Sometimes, too, it may be seen in a damp meadow, or even on a lawn in a garden; and where one wagtail is, others are sure to be not very far off.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading And one can easily understand why the name wagtail has been given to it, for no matter whether it is flying or running, its tail is never still.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading One can scarcely walk along the banks of a British stream in spring or summer without noticing a pretty and graceful bird, sometimes running along near the edge of the water, and stopping every now and then to pick off an insect from the herbage, and sometimes rising into the air to catch a fly or gnat.
