used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
(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 ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
arouseverbUS /ərˈaʊz/
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading He was in no hurry to arouse the others.
arousedadjectiveUS /ərˈaʊzd/
aroused to action
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
chapsnounUS /tʃæps/
plural of “chap” — a boy or man
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
continuationnounUS /kənˌtɪnjuːˈeɪʃən/
the act of continuing an activity without interruption
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
Elmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
start firing a weapon
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was in no hurry to arouse the others.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading He was in no hurry to arouse the others.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was in no hurry to arouse the others.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
and nothing more
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
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 ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
a condition requiring relief
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
not one and not the other of two
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
not any; not one
From this reading He was in no hurry to arouse the others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
on one occasion
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was in no hurry to arouse the others.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
peakedadjectiveUS /piːkt/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
PerknounUS /pɜːrk/
an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
having a point
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
capable of happening or existing
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
provingverbUS /ˈpruːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “prove” — be shown or be found to be
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
on the contrary
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
replenishingverbUS /riˈplenɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “replenish” — fill something that had previously been emptied
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
schooledverbUS /skuːld/
past form of “school” — educate in or as if in a school
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
with low volume
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
a track or mark left by something that has passed
From this reading ONCE MORE ON THE TRAIL At least the signs all pointed to its being a fine day.
uncomfortableadjectiveUS /ənˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
conducive to or feeling mental discomfort
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Elmer was glad of that, for they expected to have their hands full finding Perk; and a continuation of the storm of the preceding night must have broken up their plans more or less, besides proving uncomfortable.
WeeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
whimsicaladjectiveUS /ˈwɪmzɪkəl/
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
Willie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So he moved about just as softly as possible while replenishing the fire; and it was really the flames snapping that finally aroused Wee Willie.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “Let them sleep,” he said to himself, with a whimsical look on his own rather peaked face; “they need it, poor chaps; and neither of them is as used to doing without as I’ve schooled myself to be.”
