Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

compulsively or physiologically dependent on something habit-forming

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

adopted in order to deceive

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

noisy confusion and turbulence

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

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

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

prevent from being seen or discovered

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

English chemist who was a pioneer in electrochemistry and who used it to isolate elements sodium and potassium and barium and boron and calcium and magnesium and chlorine (1778-1829)

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

argue or speak in defense of

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

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

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

divisible by two

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

with resolute determination

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

brought together in one place

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

not fake or counterfeit

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

tallest living quadruped; having a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs; of savannahs of tropical Africa

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

take hold of so as to seize or restrain or stop the motion of

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

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

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

weapon consisting of a fighting ax; used by North American Indians

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

adult female chicken

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

plural of “joke” — a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

owning or consisting of land or real estate

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

a large spotted feline of tropical America similar to the leopard; in some classifications considered a member of the genus Felis

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

concerned with actual use or practice

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

to grasp hastily or eagerly

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

believed likely

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading He may not have seen a truly savage panther up there in the tree, but he firmly believed he did.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

not suspicious

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.

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

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

at the time that

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

in or at the place that

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

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

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

a Caucasian

From this reading One look at his really white face told them that at least Davy's fright had been genuine.

which person or people

From this reading "Where was it, Davy?" demanded Giraffe, who had hastened to snatch up the camp hatchet in lieu of any better weapon with which to defend himself.

in the company of; together with

From this reading When he finally landed on the ground they gathered around him with some misgivings, for Davy was addicted to practical jokes, and some of his chums suspected that even now he was, as Step Hen suggested, "putting up a job on his unsuspecting comrades."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Did it try to grab you?" asked Bumpus, with a tremor in his voice that he tried in vain to conceal by a great show of assumed bluster.