used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
in actual fact
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
bulkyadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlki/
of large size for its weight
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
bulldogverbUS /ˈbʊldɔːɡ/
attack viciously and ferociously
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
discerningadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɜːrnɪŋ/
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
take in solid food
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
opinion or judgment
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
he'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
Jule
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
the act of departing
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
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 Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
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 “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
returnsnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/
plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
precisely, exactly
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
in the near future
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/
plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
a special situation
From this reading “It is a rare thing for him to go away alone, but when he has done so in the past he soon returns.”
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Left alone in the thicket at the head of the cove, Case and Jule waited for some time for the appearance of Captain Joe.
look attentively
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
at the time that
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While not actually afraid of any attack upon themselves in that quiet place, they much preferred leaving the bulldog on watch when they went to sleep.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading “I wish he’d come back right now,” Jule replied, “I’m so sleepy I couldn’t eat a breakfast if we had one.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Captain Joe ought to be here before long,” Case observed searching the thickets with his eyes in the hope of discerning the bulky form of the dog.
