used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
closetsnounUS /ˈklɑːzəts/
plural of “closet” — a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
creepyadjectiveUS /ˈkriːpi/
annoying and unpleasant
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
exploringverbUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrɪŋ/
-ing form of “explore” — inquire into
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
flashlightnounUS /ˈflæʃlaɪt/
a small portable battery-powered electric lamp
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
your parents
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
ten 10s
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
illuminationnounUS /ˌɪluːməˈneɪʃən/
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
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 IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
lanternnounUS /ˈlæntərn/
light in a transparent protective case
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
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 But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
nooksnounUS /nʊks/
plural of “nook” — a sheltered and secluded place
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
in or at that place or location
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had a flashlight, a lantern, and some candles, and all these combined gave them quite an illumination.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
tunnelsnounUS /ˈtʌnəlz/
plural of “tunnel” — a passageway through or under something, usually underground (especially one for trains or cars)
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading They managed to find two tunnels, one about fifty feet long and the other close to a hundred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The boys were for exploring the cellar, and did so one fine day, taking the girls along.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the girls kept close to the boys, for the cellar was certainly a creepy place, with its many nooks and corners and dark closets.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT There was so much of interest about the house, and outside of it, that a week passed almost before the young folks knew it.
