used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
in the past
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
CatsnounUS /kæts/
plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
true confidential information
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
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 “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
a movement into or inward
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
at any time
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
hittingnounUS /ˈhɪtɪŋ/
the act of contacting one thing with another
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
ten 10s
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
no person; not anyone
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
refrainedverbUS /rɪˈfreɪnd/
past form of “refrain” — resist doing something
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
express in words
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration.
precisely as stated
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
produce a literary work
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little.
ZoologicaladjectiveUS /ˌzuːˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/
concerning the study of animals and their classification and properties
From this reading _Of the reason why this Book was written, and of several sorts of Cats which are not strictly Zoological._ One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats.
