Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

later than; following

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

(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 Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the act of breaking something

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

tilt or slant to one side

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

-ing form of “consult” — get or ask advice from

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

adorned with feathers or plumes

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the act of consuming food

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

moving swiftly

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

someone who takes care of a garden

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the act of departing

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

a social unit living together

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

English admiral who defeated the French fleets of Napoleon but was mortally wounded at Trafalgar (1758-1805)

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

pleasant or pleasing or agreeable in nature or appearance

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

above and across; more than

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the act of applying force in order to move something away

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the event of something being raised upward

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

plural of “robin” — small Old World songbird with a reddish breast

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

meet the requirements or expectations of

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

plural of “son” — a male human offspring

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

used as intensifiers

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

past form of “tumble” — fall down, as if collapsing

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

precisely as stated

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

superlative of “weak” — wanting in physical strength

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

at the time that

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

in or at the place that

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Then they were such hungry birds that their parents could not find enough of food to satisfy them, and the poor old birds were getting quite thin, and were tired flying from their nest to the plot where the gardener was raising some early potatoes, which was the best place to find food, and back with their mouths full.

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

in the company of; together with

From this reading There were five little birds in that nice, warm nest, but it was much too small for them now that they were so well feathered; and as they quarrelled terribly about getting the best place, the weakest one was in danger of being tumbled over the side with the pushing and struggling that went on.

the words that are spoken

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading Cock Robin said to his wife,— "This is going to be a very warm day, and I am not going to work all through the sunshiny hours feeding birds old enough to look after themselves.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York T. Nelson and Sons London, Edinburgh, and New York One fine summer morning two old robins were consulting about breaking up their household.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading In other words, they thought the time had come when their young ones should turn out of the nest and find food for themselves.