used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading ‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
benefactornounUS /ˈbenəfæktər/
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
taking care or paying attention
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading ‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
at any time
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
that which is pleasing or valuable or useful
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
a condition requiring relief
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
not one thing; not anything
From this reading ‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
on one occasion
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)
From this reading ‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
scalenounUS /skeɪl/
an ordered reference standard
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
carry out
From this reading ‘You must do me the favour,’ replied the fish, ‘to take a scale from my body, and keep it carefully.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ‘I desire nothing,’ answered the Prince.
propel through the air
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ‘I am quite content to have been able to be of some service to you.’
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading If you should ever need my help, throw it into the river, and I will come to your aid at once.’
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ‘My kind benefactor, how can I reward you for your goodness?’
