used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
assailantsnounUS /əˈseɪlənts/
plural of “assailant” — someone who attacks
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
By-and-bynoun
an indefinite time in the future
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
ChaseverbUS /tʃeɪs/
go after with the intent to catch
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
Cranbourne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
declivitynoun
a downward slope or bend
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading But his defence, though gallant, was unavailing.
dismounting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
DragonnounUS /ˈdræɡən/
a creature of Teutonic mythology; usually represented as breathing fire and having a reptilian body and sometimes wings
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
fangsnounUS /fæŋz/
plural of “fang” — a Bantu language spoken in Cameroon
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading But his defence, though gallant, was unavailing.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
hartnounUS /hɑːrt/
United States playwright who collaborated with George S. Kaufman (1904-1961)
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
haunches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
Herne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
hotlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːtli/
in a heated manner
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
nobleadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊbəl/
impressive in appearance
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
oaksnounUS /oʊks/
plural of “oak” — the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
opponentsnounUS /əˈpoʊnənts/
plural of “opponent” — a contestant that you are matched against
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
compacted by ironing
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
SaturnnounUS /ˈsætərn/
a giant planet that is surrounded by three planar concentric rings of ice particles; the 6th planet from the sun
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
in the near future
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
carry out
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
thicketnounUS /ˈθɪkɪt/
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading By-and-by the thicket became more open, and they entered Cranbourne Chase.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But his defence, though gallant, was unavailing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the hart soon quitted it to return to the great park, and darted down a declivity skirted by a line of noble oaks.
unavailingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈveɪlɪŋ/
producing no result or effect
From this reading But his defence, though gallant, was unavailing.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
which person or people
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
belonging to which person
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Here he was so hotly pressed by his fierce opponents, whose fangs he could almost feel within his haunches, that he suddenly stopped and stood at bay, receiving the foremost of his assailants, Saturn, on the points of his horns.
people who are wounded
From this reading In another instant Herne came up, and, dismounting, called off Dragon, who was about to take the place of his wounded companion.
