used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
(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 batch of fifteen eggs had all come out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
batchnounUS /bætʃ/
all the loaves of bread baked at the same time
From this reading The batch of fifteen eggs had all come out.
beaksnounUS /biːks/
plural of “beak” — beaklike mouth of animals other than birds (e.g., turtles)
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
make calm or still
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
canariesnounUS /kəˈneriz/
a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic off the northwest coast of Africa forming Spanish provinces
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
christenedverbUS /ˈkrɪsənd/
past form of “christen” — administer baptism to
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
clamberverbUS /ˈklæmbər/
climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
Cochin-China
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The batch of fifteen eggs had all come out.
convulsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
feelings of ardent love
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
having the place or position changed
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
dramanounUS /ˈdrɑːmə/
a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
duck'snounUS /dʌks/
possessive form of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
duckingnounUS /ˈdʌkɪŋ/
hunting ducks
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
Etienne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading The batch of fifteen eggs had all come out.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
helter-skelteradjectiveUS /ˌheltərˈskeltər/
lacking a visible order or organization
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
hennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
MOTHER'SnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The batch of fifteen eggs had all come out.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The batch of fifteen eggs had all come out.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
a person who requires medical care
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
peacefullyadverbUS /ˈpiːsfəli/
in a peaceful manner
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
a light shade of red
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
in the near future
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
be seated
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A MOTHER'S DEVOTION Thus time passed peacefully at the big farm.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
webbedadjectiveUS /webd/
(of the feet of some animals) having the digits connected by a thin fold of skin
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One day, however, the quiet was disturbed by a little drama which convulsed the calm but busy spot.
a Caucasian
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
a means of flight or ascent
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading It was really wonderful to see these fifteen baby ducks, yellow as canaries, beaks and webbed feet pink, swarming around the big patient sitting mother, ducking under her wings, to come out presently and clamber helter-skelter onto her broad back.
Yollande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mother Etienne had given to a Cochin-China hen, which she had christened Yollande, some white duck's eggs to sit on.
