used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
for the reason that
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
the formal act of approving
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
doubtedverbUS /ˈdaʊtɪd/
past form of “doubt” — consider unlikely or have doubts about
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
farmyardnounUS /ˈfɑːrmjɑːrd/
an area adjacent to farm buildings
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
set up or found
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
franknessnounUS /ˈfræŋknəs/
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
the act of giving
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
grovesnounUS /ɡroʊvz/
United States general who served as military director of the atomic bomb project (1896-1970)
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
JABBERERnoun
someone whose talk is trivial drivel
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
MAGPIEnounUS /ˈmæɡpaɪ/
long-tailed black-and-white crow that utters a raucous chattering call
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
not any; not one
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
the middle of the day
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
many times at short intervals
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
remarkablyadverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
shufflingnounUS /ˈʃʌflɪŋ/
walking with a slow dragging motion without lifting your feet
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
deliver by singing
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
SPARROWnounUS /ˈsperoʊ/
any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
spiritlessadjective
lacking ardor or vigor or energy
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
be standing; be upright
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading You must often have heard me sing; that cannot be doubted, because I am heard a great way.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
at the time that
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
in or at the place that
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Then you will pardon my frankness, since you know my character, when I inform you that I think you remarkably tame and spiritless: you have no enterprise in you.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading You know that I do not stand much upon ceremony; I am always ready for talking and for giving advice, and really wonder how other birds can keep themselves so quiet.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading In an old farmyard, shuffling amongst the straw, there you may be found morning, noon and night; and you are never seen in the woods and groves with me and my companions, where we have the blessing of free liberty, and fly where we please.
the words that are spoken
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _FROM THE MAGPIE TO THE SPARROW._ LITTLE JABBERER, I have many times thought of addressing to you a few words of advice, as you seem to stand in need of such a friend.
