used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
have
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
bear'snounUS /berz/
possessive form of “bear” — massive plantigrade carnivorous or omnivorous mammals with long shaggy coats and strong claws
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
behaviournounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
the action or reaction of something (as a machine or substance) under specified circumstances
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
bird-shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
the two together, not just one
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
derisionnounUS /dərˈɪʒən/
contemptuous laughter
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
enchantmentnounUS /enˈtʃæntmənt/
a feeling of great liking for something wonderful and unusual
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
enragedadjectiveUS /enˈreɪdʒd/
marked by extreme anger
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
divisible by two
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
HASauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
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 So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
lynxnounUS /lɪŋks/
a text browser
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
engage in
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
in motion
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
noiselesslyadverb
without a sound
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
obligeverbUS /əˈblaɪdʒ/
force somebody to do something
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
OWLnounUS /aʊl/
nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
pitifuladjectiveUS /ˈpɪtəfəl/
inspiring mixed contempt and pity
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
planningnounUS /ˈplænɪŋ/
an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
past form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
revenges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
schemingadjectiveUS /ˈskiːmɪŋ/
acting with a specific goal
From this reading Even in his pitiful bird-shape he enjoyed nothing so much as the scheming of awful revenges on his enemies.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
summersnounUS /ˈsʌmərz/
plural of “summer” — the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
threatsnounUS /θrets/
plural of “threat” — something that is a source of danger
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
a source of difficulty
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE LITTLE BROWN OWL HAS MORE TROUBLE The little brown owl was both astonished and enraged at the bear’s behaviour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
wildernessnounUS /ˈwɪldərnəs/
(politics) a state of disfavor
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
wintersnounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
plural of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading He wanted to cry threats and derision after her; but he had already learned that it is not wise for a small owl to make itself too conspicuous in the wilderness, especially at night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading So he contented himself with planning, for a full half-hour, the fate of that she bear, should she oblige him by living until the five long summers and winters of his enchantment were passed.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading So for awhile, the matter of the old woman was driven from his thoughts; but it was recalled to his mind by the sight of a lynx moving noiselessly past the foot of the tree upon which he was perched.
