used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
(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 In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading A file of workers approached.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
confined by bonds
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
an onerous or difficult concern
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
Dennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
eggnounUS /eɡ/
animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; especially the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
eggsnounUS /eɡz/
oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading A file of workers approached.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
hopefullyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpfəli/
with hope; in a hopeful manner
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
incubatornounUS /ˈɪŋkjəbeɪtər/
apparatus consisting of a box designed to maintain a constant temperature by the use of a thermostat; used for chicks or premature infants
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
junglenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋɡəl/
a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
set down according to a plan
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
lumpsnounUS /lʌmps/
plural of “lump” — a compact mass
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
the force of workers available
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
newlyadverbUS /ˈnuːli/
very recently
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
noticeableadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəsəbəl/
capable or worthy of being noticed
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
obviouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːbviəsli/
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
and nothing more
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
reasonedadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənd/
logically valid
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
sicklyadjectiveUS /ˈsɪkli/
unhealthy looking
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
an elevated geological formation
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
TermitenounUS /ˈtɜːrmaɪt/
whitish soft-bodied ant-like social insect that feeds on wood
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
tunnelsnounUS /ˈtʌnəlz/
plural of “tunnel” — a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars)
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
upward-leading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Slowly, the things moved--carefully--bound for some such vast incubator as the one Jim and Dennis had stumbled into some hours before.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _The Termite Queen_ The slope of the upward-leading tunnels had become less noticeable, from which fact the two men reasoned hopefully that they were near ground level.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/
plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading And now they began to see termite workers bearing a new sort of burden: termite eggs, sickly looking lumps that had only too obviously been newly laid.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading In a long line, each with an egg, looking for all the world like a file of human porters bearing the equipment of a jungle expedition.
