used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
(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 I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
beddingnounUS /ˈbedɪŋ/
coverings that are used on a bed
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
(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 It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
Clarissa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
Cruikshank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
defeatingverbUS /dɪˈfiːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “defeat” — win a victory over
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
discretionnounUS /dɪˈskreʃən/
freedom to act or judge on one's own
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
assemble or get together
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
the act of departing
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
irritatingadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtɪŋ/
causing irritation or annoyance
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
plural of “know” — the fact of being aware of information that is known to few people
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
pattingverbUS /ˈpætɪŋ/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
severelyadverbUS /səˈvɪrli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
stocksnounUS /stɑːks/
a frame that supports a boat while it is under construction
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I gather that from the fact that he leaves the subject severely alone.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I can imagine all they have been saying about Clarissa and myself, while Cruikshank, hiding his head under the sand of silence, is patting himself on the back in the belief that I cannot see all he knows.
valornounUS /ˈvælər/
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
precisely as stated
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He has evidently been warned to be very careful what he says about my going.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It shows a discretion on his part which, while it may be the better part of valor, has an irritating way of defeating its own ends.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For a little while that afternoon I watched Cruikshank bedding out his stocks.
