used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
blanketnounUS /ˈblæŋkət/
bedding that keeps a person warm in bed
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
plural of “creature” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
hawksnounUS /hɔːks/
plural of “hawk” — diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
not accessible to view
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
and nothing more
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
owlsnounUS /aʊlz/
plural of “owl” — nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
patchnounUS /pætʃ/
a small contrasting part of something
From this reading The bit of a blanket looked like a patch of dead grass.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
SnakesnounUS /sneɪks/
plural of “snake” — limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
not in physical motion
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The only way for such helpless little creatures to escape being eaten by their many enemies was to keep out of sight.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
in or at the place that
From this reading Hungry hawks and owls could not find out where they were hidden if they did not move.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Their mother taught them to be as still as they could while she was absent.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Snakes would not notice them if they stayed quiet in the nest.
