used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
anew
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
barnyardnounUS /ˈbɑːrnjɑːrd/
a yard adjoining a barn
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
cluckingnounUS /ˈklʌkɪŋ/
the sound made by a hen (as in calling her chicks)
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
disobedientadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈbiːdiənt/
not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
duckverbUS /dʌk/
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
ducklingnounUS /ˈdʌklɪŋ/
flesh of a young domestic duck
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
foster-mothernoun
a woman who is a foster parent and raises another's child
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
franticallyadverbUS /ˈfræntəkəli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
hatchedadjectiveUS /hætʃt/
emerged from an egg
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
hennounUS /hen/
adult female chicken
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
and nothing more
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
immediately past
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
not any; not one
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
on one occasion
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
paddledverbUS /ˈpædəld/
past form of “paddle” — propel with a paddle
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
quackings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
scurriedverbUS /ˈskɜːrid/
inflected form of “scurry” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
squawkingverbUS /ˈskwɔːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “squawk” — utter a harsh abrupt scream
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
swamverbUS /swæm/
inflected form of “swim” — travel through water
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although just hatched, each little duck knew its place in the line, and from that day on, the order never changed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
the upper part of anything
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading The old hen, clucking frantically, tried again and again to turn them back.
turned-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
waddling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Each time they scattered and, waddling past her, fell into line once more.
warningsnounUS /ˈwɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “warning” — a message informing of danger
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
at the time that
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They had no more than come out of the shell when, with faint little quackings, they paddled out of the barnyard and started in single file for the pond.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When at last they reached the bank, their foster-mother scurried back and forth squawking warnings at the top of her voice; but, one after another, each disobedient duckling plunged in with a bob of its turned-up tail, and the procession swam around and around the pond as if it would never stop.
