used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
associationnounUS /əˌsoʊsiˈeɪʃən/
a formal organization of people or groups of people
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
becknounUS /bek/
a beckoning gesture
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
an occurrence of something
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
DominicknounUS /ˈdɑːmənɪk/
American breed of chicken having barred grey plumage raised for meat and brown eggs
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
fowlnounUS /faʊl/
a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
humaneadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmeɪn/
pertaining to or concerned with the humanities
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
LIFETIMEnounUS /ˈlaɪftaɪm/
the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
something that is lost
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
to a great degree or extent
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
on one occasion
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
and nothing more
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
a human being
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
petnounUS /pet/
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
plural of “quality” — an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
reciprocateverbUS /rɪˈsɪprəkeɪt/
act, feel, or give mutually or in return
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
reclusenounUS /rɪˈkluːs/
one who lives in solitude
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
roosternounUS /ˈruːstər/
adult male chicken
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
ShrimpnounUS /ʃrɪmp/
disparaging terms for small people
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
standpointnounUS /ˈstændpɔɪnt/
a mental position from which things are viewed
From this reading Probably, from the standpoint of intelligence, a creature very low in the scale.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
thieverynounUS /ˈθiːvəri/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But its association in this case had developed the qualities of the bird.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
precisely as stated
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is true that Shrimp was only a fowl--a Dominick rooster at that.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading ONCE IN A LIFETIME To the average humane person the loss of a pet, whether through thievery or death itself, brings a very real sorrow for a time.
which person or people
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading How much worse it must be for one who lives alone, a recluse on an island of sand in the sea, to suffer the loss of his only living companion, something to come at his beck and call, something that seems indeed to reciprocate its master's affection!
