used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading The dog acted as if he meant business.
(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 THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
subject to appointment
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
assailedverbUS /əˈseɪld/
past form of “assail” — attack someone physically or emotionally
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
Beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The dog acted as if he meant business.
ButtonnounUS /ˈbʌtən/
a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
CAMP-FIRE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
clothing in general
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
clubsnounUS /klʌbz/
plural of “club” — a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
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 Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
take in solid food
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
promote over another
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
Felix
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
enclose with a fence
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
franticadjectiveUS /ˈfræntɪk/
excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
the act of departing
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
guardiannounUS /ˈɡɑːrdiən/
a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The dog acted as if he meant business.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The dog acted as if he meant business.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading The dog acted as if he meant business.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
oncomingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːnkʌmɪŋ/
moving toward one
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
pugnaciousadjectiveUS /pəɡˈnæʃɪs/
tough and callous by virtue of experience
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
RobverbUS /rɑːb/
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
Shaefer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
snatchverbUS /snætʃ/
to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
strandsnounUS /strændz/
plural of “strand” — a pattern forming a unity within a larger structural whole
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
territorynounUS /ˈterɪtɔːri/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Felix and Rob Shaefer did not like the looks of the oncoming dog any more than did Billy.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
trespassingadjectiveUS /ˈtrespæsɪŋ/
gradually intrusive without right or permission
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
hard to endure
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE FIRST CAMP-FIRE "Help, he's going to eat us all up!" shouted Billy Button.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They were trespassing on his master's territory, and as the guardian appointed to defend this ground he assailed the intruders without fear or favor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Being more pugnacious by nature, however, instead of making a frantic dash over the wire fence, and trying to crawl through between the strands at the risk of tearing their clothes, they hurried to snatch up some clubs which would serve them as a means of defence.
