Chapter X

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

(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 _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

attack someone physically or emotionally

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

superlative of “big” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

an alloy of copper and zinc

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

third-person singular of “describe” — give a description of

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

a word used in exclamations of confusion

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

having the place or position changed

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

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 * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

increase twofold

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

take in solid food

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

to certain extent or degree

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

at a previous time

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

(folklore) a small grotesque supernatural creature that makes trouble for human beings

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

highest in quality

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

and nothing more

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

inflected form of “lap” — lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

possessing or using or characteristic of or appropriate to supernatural powers

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

a white nutritious liquid secreted by mammals and used as food by human beings

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a cat proficient at mousing

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

clean or organized

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

and nothing more

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

any of various long-tailed rodents similar to but larger than a mouse

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

Identical; not different.

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

in the near future

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

a cat with a grey or tawny coat mottled with black

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

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 With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

correct by punishment or discipline

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

male cat

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

precisely as stated

From this reading With hunger he so hungry was--it did so strong assail, That, although very loath, he was obliged to eat his tail.

excessively greedy and grasping

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading _Of a certain Voracious Cat, some Goblin Cats, Magical Cats, and Cats of Kilkenny._ Of all the great big stories that have been told of Cats, that which describes the origin of Cat’s-head apples is surely the greatest biggest one.

during the time that

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

which person or people

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

in the company of; together with

From this reading One day she was disturbed from sleep with double rat-tat-tat, And she went in such a hurry that she quite forgot her Cat.

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading * * * * * Poor Thomas, soon as day-light came, walked up and down the floor, And heard the dogs’-meat woman cry “Cats’-meat” at the door; With hunger he got fairly wild, though formerly so tame-- Another day passed slowly, another just the same.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The legend runs thus:-- “The Widow Tomkins had a back room, on the second floor; Her name was on a neat brass plate on one side of the door: Companion she had only one--a beautiful Tom Cat, Who was a famous mouser, the dickens for a rat: His colour was a tabby, and his skin as soft as silk, And she would lap him every day while he lapped the milk.