used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
anew
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
(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 So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading How am I going to get these awful quills out, anyway?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading How am I going to get these awful quills out, anyway?
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
have
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
bearsnounUS /berz/
plural of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
clawsnounUS /klɔːz/
plural of “claw” — sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
CubnounUS /kʌb/
an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
cubsnounUS /kʌbz/
plural of “cub” — an awkward and inexperienced youth
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
at any time
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
the act of departing
From this reading How am I going to get these awful quills out, anyway?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
be the source of pain
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
not any; not one
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading How am I going to get these awful quills out, anyway?
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
papasnounUS /ˈpɑːpəz/
plural of “papa” — an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
participate in games or sport
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
porcupinenounUS /ˈpɔːrkjəpaɪn/
relatively large rodents with sharp erectile bristles mingled with the fur
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
quills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How am I going to get these awful quills out, anyway?
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
slipperyadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpəri/
causing or tending to cause things to slip or slide
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
express in words
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I am afraid that papas sometimes forget to tell their little cubs about the things that hurt.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading How am I going to get these awful quills out, anyway?
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I've tried as hard as I can, and I can not get hold of the little slippery things with my clumsy claws."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading So the little Cub Bear thought to himself, "I hope my papa will tell me about all of the things that hurt little bears, so that I will not get hurt so badly again.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the little Cub Bear did not see how he could have known better, for no one had ever told him before, and he had never seen a porcupine before, and it looked like a nice ball for little Cub Bear to play with.
