Chapter X · The Bob-Cat

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

the two together, not just one

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

a boy or man

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

past form of “chuckle” — laugh quietly or with restraint

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading I don't know," said Allan.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

at any time

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

a quick look

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

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

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

adult female chicken

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

the act of retaining something

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I don't know," said Allan.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

and nothing more

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading I don't know," said Allan.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

past form of “mention” — make reference to

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading "Oh!

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

and nothing more

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

gradual improvement or growth or development

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

made less in size or amount or degree

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

in or at or to some place

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

express in speech

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

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

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.

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

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading The morning was half gone, and they had been making pretty fair progress.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

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

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

at the time that

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading "But," said Giraffe, when Allan mentioned this fact, "if we're only holding our own, that means we'll never glimpse the poor old chap in a week, 'less he just drops down from being so worn out, reduced to skin and bones, so to speak," and both he and Step Hen chuckled at the possibility of Bumpus ever coming to such an end.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "There's always a chance that you might sight him somewhere.