used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
alluringadjectiveUS /əˈlʊrɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
move towards
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
have
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
coyadjectiveUS /kɔɪ/
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
creepingnounUS /ˈkriːpɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
devouredverbUS /dɪˈvaʊərd/
past form of “devour” — destroy completely
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
eyeingverbUS /ˈaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “eye” — look at
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
grubnounUS /ɡrʌb/
informal terms for a meal
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
grubsnounUS /ɡrʌbz/
plural of “grub” — informal terms for a meal
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
gulpedverbUS /ɡʌlpt/
past form of “gulp” — to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
half-rotted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
hennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
hopefullyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpfəli/
with hope; in a hopeful manner
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
kt-kt-kt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
morselnounUS /ˈmɔːrsəl/
a small quantity of anything
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
not any; not one
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
peeredverbUS /pɪrd/
past form of “peer” — look searchingly
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
in the near future
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
rawadjectiveUS /rɑː/
(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
reddish-yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
rootsnounUS /ruːts/
the condition of belonging to a particular place or group by virtue of social or ethnic or cultural lineage
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
scratchverbUS /skrætʃ/
cause friction
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
sinisteradjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪstər/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
stumpnounUS /stʌmp/
the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
in the direction of
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
underbrushnounUS /ˈʌndərbrʌʃ/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
up-torn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
wanderernounUS /ˈwɑːndərər/
someone who leads a wandering unsettled life
From this reading The raw earth about the up-torn roots tempted the wanderer to scratch for grubs.
warilyadverbUS /ˈwerəli/
in a wary manner
From this reading He gulped down the fat grub, and stood warily eyeing the approach of this new foe.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
in or at the place that
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
a Caucasian
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
withe-wood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was no such response; but as he peered about hopefully, he caught sight of a sinister, reddish-yellow shape creeping towards him behind the shelter of a withe-wood bush.
wood-ants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Presently he came to a spot where an old, half-rotted stump had been torn apart by a bear hunting for wood-ants.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Finding a fat white morsel, much too dainty to be devoured alone, he stood over it and began to call _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_, _kt-kt-kt_ in his most alluring tones, hoping that some coy young hen would come stealing out of the underbrush in response to his gallant invitation.
