used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
ambuscadenoun
the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
ant-hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
antelopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
apprehensionnounUS /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/
fearful expectation or anticipation
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
bushyadjectiveUS /ˈbʊʃi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
carnivoranoun
cats; lions; tigers; panthers; dogs; wolves; jackals; bears; raccoons; skunks; and members of the suborder Pinnipedia
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
not accessible to view
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
detournounUS /dɪˈtʊr/
a roundabout road (especially one that is used temporarily while a main route is blocked)
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
flanksnounUS /flæŋks/
plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
fliesnounUS /flaɪz/
(theater) the space over the stage (out of view of the audience) used to store scenery (drop curtains)
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
gemsboks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
huntersnounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
plural of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
lionessnoun
a female lion
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
for more time
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
manenounUS /meɪn/
long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
not any; not one
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
and nothing more
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
relieve from
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
take something away by force or without the consent of the owner
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
not in physical motion
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The ambuscade was well planned, and in a few minutes its success was no longer doubtful.
switchingnounUS /ˈswɪtʃɪŋ/
the act of changing one thing or position for another
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
tailsnounUS /teɪlz/
formalwear consisting of full evening dress for men
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
a special situation
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The lioness had completed the great _detour_ she had made, and was now seen crouching after them, though still far to the rear.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
in the direction of
From this reading The gemsboks advanced steadily towards the ant-hill, occasionally switching about their black bushy tails; but that was to rid their flanks of the flies, and not from any apprehension of danger.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading As the antelopes drew near the ant-hill, the lion was observed to draw back his head until it was nearly concealed under his black shaggy mane.
victimsnounUS /ˈvɪktəmz/
plural of “victim” — an unfortunate person who suffers from some adverse circumstance
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
(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 The thing was well calculated, and although it was likely to rob the hunters of their game, they had grown so interested in the movements of the carnivora and their intended victims, that they thought only of watching the spectacle to its end.
