used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
askanceadverbUS /əˈskæns/
with suspicion or disapproval
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
bucketsnounUS /ˈbʌkəts/
plural of “bucket” — a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
dabbledadjectiveUS /ˈdæbəld/
covered with bright patches (often used in combination)
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
dippedadjectiveUS /dɪpt/
having abnormal sagging of the spine (especially in horses)
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
being one more than ten
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/
in a physically fierce manner
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
gaspingverbUS /ˈɡæspɪŋ/
-ing form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading They gave uneasy, gasping grunts in their haste.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading They gave uneasy, gasping grunts in their haste.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
glaredverbUS /ɡlerd/
past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
gruntsnounUS /ɡrʌnts/
plural of “grunt” — the short low gruff noise of the kind made by hogs
From this reading They gave uneasy, gasping grunts in their haste.
gurgleverbUS /ˈɡɜːrɡəl/
flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading They gave uneasy, gasping grunts in their haste.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
staying power
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
Leslie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
lusciousadjectiveUS /ˈlʌʃɪs/
having strong sexual appeal
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
mouthsnounUS /maʊðz/
plural of “mouth” — the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
nosesnounUS /ˈnoʊzɪz/
plural of “nose” — the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
pigsnounUS /pɪɡz/
plural of “pig” — domestic swine
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
a full supply
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
shoulderedadjectiveUS /ˈʃoʊldərd/
having shoulders or shoulders as specified; usually used as a combining form
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
shovedverbUS /ʃʌvd/
past form of “shove” — come into rough contact with while moving
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
slobbernounUS /ˈslɑːbər/
saliva spilling from the mouth
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
snoutsnounUS /snaʊts/
plural of “snout” — a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
spilledverbUS /spɪld/
past form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
squealingadjectiveUS /ˈskwiːlɪŋ/
having or making a high-pitched sound such as that made by a mouse or a rusty hinge
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
suckingnounUS /ˈsʌkɪŋ/
the act of sucking
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
swillverbUS /swɪl/
feed pigs
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They gave uneasy, gasping grunts in their haste.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading During Leslie’s illness I strolled down to the mill one Saturday evening.
trampingverbUS /ˈtræmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
trotters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
troughnounUS /trɔːf/
a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
twitchedverbUS /twɪtʃt/
past form of “twitch” — make an uncontrolled, short, jerky motion
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
uneasyadjectiveUS /əˈniːzi/
lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading They gave uneasy, gasping grunts in their haste.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He poured the stuff into a trough with luscious gurgle, and instantly ten noses were dipped in, and ten little mouths began to slobber.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
intense anger (usually on an epic scale)
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
but in spite of that
From this reading Though there was plenty of room for ten, yet they shouldered and shoved and struggled to capture a larger space, and many little trotters dabbled and spilled the stuff, and the ten sucking, clapping snouts twitched fiercely, and twenty little eyes glared askance, like so many points of wrath.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading I met George tramping across the yard with a couple of buckets of swill, and eleven young pigs rushing squealing about his legs, shrieking in an agony of suspense.
