used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
Ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
at or in or to any place
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
ascertainverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪn/
establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
Bumpus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
climbingnounUS /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/
an event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
clumsilyadverbUS /ˈklʌmsəli/
in a clumsy manner
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
set up or found
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
gettin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
GiraffenounUS /dʒərˈæf/
tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
an opinion formed by judging something
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
staying power
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
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 THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
information about recent and important events
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
not any; not one
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
in the near future
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
with speed
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
SCOUTnounUS /skaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
selectingverbUS /səˈlektɪŋ/
-ing form of “select” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
express in words
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
in or at that place or location
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading It really looked to Bumpus as though sooner or later they must come to climbing a tree, no matter how cold they found it on such a perch.
a fact that has been verified
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
VIGILnounUS /ˈvɪdʒəl/
a period of sleeplessness
From this reading THE LONG VIGIL OF A SCOUT.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
wearilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a weary manner
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading But before he started to look around him, he thought it worth while to ascertain how his companion was doing; although to tell the truth Bumpus did not have the slightest hope of any good news.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And as it would presently be dark, since night was rapidly coming on, he wondered whether he would not be showing good judgment in selecting the proper kind of a tree, while there was enough light to see by.
but in spite of that
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Ain't you gettin' anywhere yet, Giraffe?" he asked, as he rose clumsily, and wearily to his feet; for his short legs felt very stiff after resting so long.
