Chapter IX · Chapter 9

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

(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 Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

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

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

someone who bakes commercially

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

(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 Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

move very slightly

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

kill (animals) usually for food consumption

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

an occurrence of something

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

definite but not specified or identified

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

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

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

the act of digging

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

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

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

one or the other of two

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

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

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

an opening into or through something

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

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

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

large herbivorous tropical American arboreal lizards with a spiny crest along the back; used as human food in Central America and South America

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

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

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

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

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

Old World nocturnal canine mammal closely related to the dog; smaller than a wolf; sometimes hunts in a pack but usually singly or as a member of a pair

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

and nothing more

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

go away from a place

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

water soaked soil; soft wet earth

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

plural of “nail” — horny plate covering and protecting part of the dorsal surface of the digits

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

throughout a period of time

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

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

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

(of hair) made smooth by applying a sticky or glossy substance

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

inflected form of “pop” — bulge outward

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

cause to move by pulling

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

any competition

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

a particular situation

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

deliver by singing

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

with low volume

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

not in physical motion

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

superlative of “sweet” — having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

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

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

up to a particular time

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

up to a particular time

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

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

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

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

From this reading It was a near race, however, for just as he popped into his hole, the Jackal caught him by the tail, and held on.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Still not an inch did either budge, one way or the other, and there they might have remained till the present day, had not the Iguana called out, in his sweetest tones, “Friend, I give in!

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

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

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

during the time that

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”

in the company of; together with

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

Damaged or thinned by continuous use.

From this reading Whereupon the Jackal let go, and the tail disappeared up the hole in a twinkling; while all the reward the Jackal got for digging away until his nails were nearly worn out was hearing the Iguana sing softly— “Bones made up his dais, with mud it’s plastered o’er, Old shoes are his eardrops; a jackal, nothing more

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Then it was a case of “pull, butcher; pull, baker,” until the Lizard made certain his tail must come off, and he felt as if his front teeth would come out.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Just leave hold of my tail, will you? then I can turn round and come out.”