used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
(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 He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
a youthful male person
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
CrouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
crunchingverbUS /ˈkrʌntʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crunch” — make a crushing noise
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
one or the other of two
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
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 The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
a boy or man
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
with speed
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
regardlessadverbUS /rəˈɡɑːrdləs/
in spite of everything; without regard to drawbacks
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
rottingnounUS /ˈrɑːtɪŋ/
(biology) the process of decay caused by bacterial or fungal action
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by some agent under defined conditions
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
shacknounUS /ʃæk/
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
snakesnounUS /sneɪks/
plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
a person, without saying who
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
SURPRISESnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
Tad's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
a shaky motion
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
underfootadverbUS /ˌʌndərˈfʊt/
under the feet
From this reading SURPRISES COME FAST The cause of Tad's alarm had been a slight trembling of the soft ground underfoot, followed by a crunching sound as if something or someone had trod on a rotting stick.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Crouching down in the bushes the boy waited and listened.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The lad knew that either man or beast was near at hand, but he did not have time to satisfy himself which of the two it was.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He reasoned, of course, that if it were the owner of the shack returning, he would ride his horse to its stable first of all.
wriggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He acted quickly, and, regardless of snakes, wriggled away to a place of greater safety.
