used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
alligatornounUS /ˈæləɡeɪtər/
leather made from alligator's hide
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
alligatorsnounUS /ˈæləɡeɪtərz/
plural of “alligator” — leather made from alligator's hide
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
cowardnounUS /ˈkaʊərd/
a person who shows fear or timidity
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
cumbersomeadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmbərsəm/
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
DODGINGnounUS /ˈdɑːdʒɪŋ/
nonperformance of something distasteful (as by deceit or trickery) that you are supposed to do
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
EVERGLADESnounUS /ˈevərɡleɪdz/
a large subtropical swamp in southern Florida that is noted for its wildlife
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
exposeverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊz/
expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
four-legged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
Halstead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
and nothing more
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
staying power
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
engage in
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
needlesslyadverbUS /ˈniːdləsli/
without need
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
OLDESTadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
remonstrated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
reptilenounUS /ˈreptaɪl/
any cold-blooded vertebrate of the class Reptilia including tortoises, turtles, snakes, lizards, alligators, crocodiles, and extinct forms
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
past form of “retort” — answer back
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
scaledadjectiveUS /skeɪld/
having the body covered or partially covered with thin horny plates, as some fish and reptiles
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
Silsbee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
move hurridly
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
the rays of the sun
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
push forcefully
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
male cat
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
interact in a certain way
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
unlooked-foradjective
not anticipated
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Both alligators were now fully on land, their scaled bodies glistening in the soft sunlight.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Though the alligator is a cumbersome looking animal on land, both knew from their reading that this four-legged reptile will sometimes show unlooked-for speed on its short legs.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Don’t treat me as though you believed me a coward,” she remonstrated, speaking in a low voice.
You'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading DODGING THE OLDEST INHABITANTS OF THE EVERGLADES JUST in the instant that he halted young Halstead thrust out his left arm, sweeping Ida Silsbee behind him.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading “You’ll make me less of a coward if you don’t expose yourself needlessly to danger,” Tom retorted, in an equally low voice.
