used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
aimverbUS /eɪm/
point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
animatedadjectiveUS /ˈænəmeɪtɪd/
having life or vigor or spirit
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
inflected form of “arise” — come into existence; take on form or shape
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
ascertainedadjectiveUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnd/
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
past form of “attract” — direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
brightlyadverbUS /ˈbraɪtli/
with brightness
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
a state at a particular time
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
determinationnounUS /dɪˌtɜːrməˈneɪʃən/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
plural of “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 My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
start firing a weapon
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
fowling-piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
harenounUS /her/
swift timid long-eared mammal larger than a rabbit having a divided upper lip and long hind legs; young born furred and with open eyes
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
hauntverbUS /hɔːnt/
follow stealthily or recur constantly and spontaneously to
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
and nothing more
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
held up in the air
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
occupationnounUS /ˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
on one occasion
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
refreshedadjectiveUS /riˈfreʃt/
with restored energy
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
rejoicingnounUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪsɪŋ/
a feeling of great happiness
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
spanielnounUS /ˈspænjəl/
any of several breeds of small to medium-sized gun dogs with a long silky coat and long frilled ears
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
in the direction of
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
triggerverbUS /ˈtrɪɡər/
put in motion or move to act
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading I arose next morning refreshed and vigorous, and prepared to follow my ordinary occupation of shooting.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was a clear frosty day, the sun was shining brightly overhead, and a thousand little birds were rejoicing in the warmth of his beams.
at the time that
From this reading My faithful spaniel had just begun to give tongue, and my fowling-piece was already in a position to be lifted at once to my shoulder, when the report of a single cannon, coming from the front, attracted my attention.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Thus attended, and thus animated, I set forth after breakfast; and having previously ascertained the favourite haunt of a hare which had more than once escaped me, I turned my steps towards it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading My dogs were in high condition; my gun was clean and in good order; and myself big with the determination not to fire in too great a hurry, but to be sure of my aim before I pulled the trigger.
