used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
a young person of either sex
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
rid of obstructions
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
creeknounUS /kriːk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
crumbsnounUS /krʌmz/
plural of “crumb” — a very small quantity of something
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading IN GREAT DANGER.
debatedverbUS /dəˈbeɪtɪd/
past form of “debate” — argue with one another
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
flingingverbUS /ˈflɪŋɪŋ/
-ing form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
glidedverbUS /ˈɡlaɪdɪd/
past form of “glide” — move smoothly and effortlessly
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading IN GREAT DANGER.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN GREAT DANGER.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
take the midday meal
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
minnowsnounUS /ˈmɪnoʊz/
plural of “minnow” — very small European freshwater fish common in gravelly streams
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
a particular point in time
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
morselsnounUS /ˈmɔːrsəlz/
plural of “morsel” — a small quantity of anything
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
Nellie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
not one, and not any
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
and nothing more
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
Ribsam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
shadowyadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊi/
filled with shade
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
sportnounUS /spɔːrt/
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
in or at that place or location
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading A little child is like a butterfly, thinking only of the pleasures of the moment.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Nellie Ribsam came down close to the edge of the creek and threw some crumbs out upon the surface.
upwardadjectiveUS /ˈʌpwərd/
directed up
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading In the clear water she could see the shadowy figures of the minnows, as they glided upward and snapped at the morsels.
in or at the place that
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading She became so interested in the sport that she kept walking down the bank of the stream, flinging out the crumbs until there was none left in her hand; then she debated whether she should go back after her lunch basket or wait where she was until Nick appeared on the bridge.
