used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
anew
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
from appearances alone
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
calculatedadjectiveUS /ˈkælkjəleɪtɪd/
carefully thought out in advance
From this reading Hervey Willetts straddled the branch and calculated the thickness of it.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
denizennounUS /ˈdenəzən/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
disinterestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsɪntrɪstɪd/
unaffected by self-interest
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
downyadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊni/
like down or as soft as down
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
Hervey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
householdernounUS /ˈhaʊshoʊldər/
someone who owns a home
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
INTRODUCEverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
joltsnounUS /dʒoʊlts/
plural of “jolt” — a sudden jarring impact
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
leafnounUS /liːf/
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
limbnounUS /lɪm/
one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
mapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
ORESTESnounUS /ɔːˈrestiz/
(Greek mythology) the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra; his sister Electra persuaded him to avenge Agamemnon's death by killing Clytemnestra and Aegisthus
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
pokedverbUS /poʊkt/
past form of “poke” — poke or thrust abruptly
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
speckledadjectiveUS /ˈspekəld/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
squintverbUS /skwɪnt/
cross one's eyes as if in strabismus
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
straddledverbUS /ˈstrædəld/
past form of “straddle” — sit or stand astride of
From this reading Hervey Willetts straddled the branch and calculated the thickness of it.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
thicknessnounUS /ˈθɪknəs/
the dimension through an object as opposed to its length or width
From this reading Hervey Willetts straddled the branch and calculated the thickness of it.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
topsy-turvyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːpsiˈtɜːrvi/
in utter disorder
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
unconcernedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnkənˈsɜːrnd/
lacking in interest or care or feeling
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
undisturbedadjectiveUS /ˌʌndɪˈstɜːrbd/
untroubled by interference or disturbance
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
upheavalsnounUS /əpˈhiːvəlz/
plural of “upheaval” — a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What the little householder thought of all this topsy-turvy business it might be amusing to know.
in or at the place that
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
Willetts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hervey Willetts straddled the branch and calculated the thickness of it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now and again it poked its downy speckled head out for a kind of disinterested squint at things, apparently unconcerned with mighty upheavals so long as its little home was undisturbed.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading For surely, if the world war changed the map of Europe, the little neighborhood of leaf and branch where this timid denizen of the woods lived and had its being, had been subject to jolts and changes quite as sweeping.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading TO INTRODUCE ORESTES Hervey moved cautiously in along the limb to a point where he felt sure that it would hold his weight, and as he did so it moved slowly up into place.
