used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
acrenounUS /ˈeɪkər/
a unit of area (4840 square yards) used in English-speaking countries
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
move towards
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
BartnounUS /bɑːrt/
a member of the British order of honor; ranks below a baron but above a knight
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
detachedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtætʃt/
showing lack of emotional involvement
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
fencesnounUS /ˈfensəz/
plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
set up or found
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
hinderverbUS /ˈhɪndər/
be a hindrance or obstacle to
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
masonrynounUS /ˈmeɪsənri/
structure built of stone or brick by a mason
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
not any; not one
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
peaknounUS /piːk/
the most extreme possible amount or value
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
quadrangularadjective
of or relating to or shaped like a quadrangle
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE RUINED CASTLE As the Army Boys drew closer, the building seemed to grow in size.
the upper part of anything
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I don't care what it is," replied Bart.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
belonging to which person
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, it's an old castle of some kind!" exclaimed Frank, as they paused at the foot of the tower, spent and breathless.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading There were no fences to hinder their approach, but there were great masses of broken blocks and masonry through which they had to wind their way before they found themselves before a frowning tower, whose peak rose above the top of a quadrangular group of buildings surrounding it.
WingnounUS /wɪŋ/
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading Wing after wing detached itself from the mass that seemed to cover fully an acre of ground.
