used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
CaesarnounUS /ˈsiːzər/
conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
Caesar'snounUS /ˈsiːzərz/
possessive form of “caesar” — conqueror of Gaul and master of Italy (100-44 BC)
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
canteringadjective
riding at a gait between a trot and a gallop
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
combatantsnounUS /kəmˈbætənts/
plural of “combatant” — someone who fights (or is fighting)
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
DalmatiannounUS /dælˈmeɪʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Dalmatia
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
deductionsnounUS /dɪˈdʌkʃənz/
plural of “deduction” — a reduction in the gross amount on which a tax is calculated; reduces taxes by the percentage fixed for the taxpayer's income bracket
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
one or the other of two
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
at any time
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
plural of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
grossadjectiveUS /ɡroʊs/
before any deductions
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
insultnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
IrishnounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃ/
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
JUGnounUS /dʒʌɡ/
a large bottle with a narrow mouth
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
lucklessadjectiveUS /ˈlʌkləs/
having or bringing misfortune
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
MikenounUS /maɪk/
device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
Mike'snounUS /maɪks/
possessive form of “mike” — device for converting sound waves into electrical energy
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
reasonablyadverbUS /ˈriːzənəbli/
to certain extent or degree
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
move hurridly
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
scampernounUS /ˈskæmpər/
rushing about hastily in an undignified way
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
scamperedverbUS /ˈskæmpərd/
past form of “scamper” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
snarlverbUS /snɑːrl/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
Vicaragenoun
an official residence provided by a church for its parson or vicar or rector
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
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 A JUG OF WATER It was certainly not Caesar's fault.
well-meaningadjective
not unfriendly or threatening
From this reading Caesar was as well-meaning a Dalmatian as ever scampered in the wake of a cantering horse.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And if Mike in his headlong Irish fashion chose to regard the scamper as a gross personal insult, that was surely not a matter for which he could reasonably be held responsible.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It began with a rush and a snarl from the Vicarage gate and it had developed into a set and deadly battle almost before either of the combatants had fully realized the other.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
wrong-headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet it was upon the luckless Caesar that the wrath of the gods descended as a consequence of Mike's wrong-headed deductions.
