1768
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SELBORNE, _March 30th_, 1768.
30
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SELBORNE, _March 30th_, 1768.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
boobynounUS /ˈbuːbi/
an ignorant or foolish person
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
canenounUS /keɪn/
a stick that people can lean on to help them walk
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
carternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
dearly loved
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
dependedverbUS /dɪˈpendəd/
past form of “depend” — be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
ferretverbUS /ˈferət/
hound or harry relentlessly
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
field-mouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
a man of refinement
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
genusnounUS /ˈdʒiːnəs/
a general kind of something
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
a search for knowledge
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
intelligentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒənt/
having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
for more time
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
march in a procession
From this reading SELBORNE, _March 30th_, 1768.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
milk-whiteadjective
of a white the color of fresh milk
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
mustelinum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
neighbourhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
nestnounUS /nest/
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
the local environment
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
polecatnounUS /ˈpoʊlkæt/
American musteline mammal typically ejecting an intensely malodorous fluid when startled; in some classifications put in a separate subfamily Mephitinae
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
preservedadjectiveUS /prəˈzɜːrvd/
prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
reddishadjectiveUS /ˈredɪʃ/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
rookerynoun
a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
rooksnounUS /rʊks/
plural of “rook” — (chess) the piece that can move any number of unoccupied squares in a direction parallel to the sides of the chessboard
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
SELBORNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SELBORNE, _March 30th_, 1768.
term of address for a man
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
speciesnounUS /ˈspiːʃiz/
(biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
stoatnoun
the ermine in its brown summer coat with black-tipped tail
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
the fifth day of the week; the fourth working day
From this reading SELBORNE, _March 30th_, 1768.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This piece of intelligence can be little depended on; but farther inquiry may be made.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A gentleman in this neighbourhood had two milk-white rooks in one nest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
weaselnounUS /ˈwiːzəl/
a person who is regarded as treacherous or sneaky
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dear Sir,--Some intelligent country people have a notion that we have in these parts a species of the _genus mustelinum_, besides the weasel, stoat, ferret, and polecat; a little reddish beast, not much bigger than a field-mouse, but much longer, which they call a _cane_.
which person or people
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A booby of a carter, finding them before they were able to fly, threw them down and destroyed them, to the regret of the owner, who would have been glad to have preserved such a curiosity in his rookery.
