Chapter IV · Chapter 4

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

be able to spare or give up

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

aroused to impatience or anger

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

plural of “bicycle” — a wheeled vehicle that has two wheels and is moved by foot pedals

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

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

From this reading “How will you get kittens, if you can’t get cats?

feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

rural regions

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

make void or empty of contents

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

(Greek mythology) Greek god of darkness who dwelt in the underworld; son of Chaos; brother of Nox; father of Aether and Day

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

divisible by two

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading “How will you get kittens, if you can’t get cats?

the act of departing

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

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

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

a health facility where patients receive treatment

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

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

From this reading “How will you get kittens, if you can’t get cats?

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

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “How will you get kittens, if you can’t get cats?

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

a message received and understood

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

a formal or official examination

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

plural of “kitten” — young domestic cat

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

immediately past

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

past form of “lavish” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

for more time

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

a persistent and contagious disease of the skin causing inflammation and itching and loss of hair; affects domestic animals (and sometimes people)

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

having many worn or threadbare spots in the nap

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

absolutely essential

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

not any; not one

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

having a point

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

rebuffed (by a lover) without warning

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

-ing form of “reject” — refuse to accept or acknowledge

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

to a small degree or extent

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

characterized by or performed with much energy or force

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

a state of acute pain

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

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

From this reading They had, indeed, one offer of a cat suffering from the mange; but the Terror rejected it, saying coldly to its owner that theirs was a home, not a hospital.

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

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

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

From this reading Slowly they grew annoyed that the home on which they had lavished such strenuous labor remained empty; and at last the Terror said: “Look here: I’m going to begin with kittens.”

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading “How will you get kittens, if you can’t get cats?

disposed or inclined toward

From this reading AND THE VISIT OF INSPECTION Cats did not immediately flow in, though the Twins, riding round the countryside on their bicycles, spread the information that they were willing to afford a home to such of those necessary animals as their owners no longer needed.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The impatient Erebus was somewhat vexed with him for rejecting it: she pointed out that even a mangy cat was a beginning.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “How will you get kittens, if you can’t get cats?