used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
apparatusnounUS /ˌæpərˈætəs/
equipment designed to serve a specific function
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading Some of these were broken, and some partly crushed.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
cindersnounUS /ˈsɪndərz/
plural of “cinder” — a fragment of incombustible matter left after a wood or coal or charcoal fire
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
crushedadjectiveUS /krʌʃt/
treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance
From this reading Some of these were broken, and some partly crushed.
a female human offspring
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
someone who is a detective
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
Dick'snounUS /dɪks/
possessive form of “dick” — someone who is a detective
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
FullernounUS /ˈfʊlər/
United States jurist and chief justice of the United States Supreme Court (1833-1910)
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
galvanizedverbUS /ˈɡælvənaɪzd/
past form of “galvanize” — to stimulate to action
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
destroyed or killed
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
INFORMALadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrməl/
not formal
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
latticenounUS /ˈlætəs/
an arrangement of points or particles or objects in a regular periodic pattern in 2 or 3 dimensions
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
levernounUS /ˈlevər/
a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
measuresnounUS /ˈmeʒərz/
plural of “measure” — any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
mixingnounUS /ˈmɪksɪŋ/
the act of mixing together
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
neighboringadjectiveUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
held or filled or in use
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Some of these were broken, and some partly crushed.
patteredverbUS /ˈpætərd/
past form of “patter” — rain gently
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
perspirationnounUS /ˌpɜːrspərˈeɪʃən/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
privacynounUS /ˈpraɪvəsi/
the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
on the contrary
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
scalesnounUS /skeɪlz/
plural of “scale” — an ordered reference standard
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
shedsnounUS /ʃedz/
plural of “shed” — an outbuilding with a single story; used for shelter or storage
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
shelfnounUS /ʃelf/
A flat horizontal plane used to hold books or scrolls in a library.
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
shuttersnounUS /ˈʃʌtərz/
plural of “shutter” — a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
soakedadjectiveUS /soʊkt/
very drunk
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some of these were broken, and some partly crushed.
in the near future
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
testingnounUS /ˈtestɪŋ/
the act of subjecting to experimental test in order to determine how well something works
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INFORMAL COURT One morning, soon after Fuller and his daughter had gone home, Dick stood at a table in the testing house behind the mixing sheds.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Some of these were broken, and some partly crushed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
throbverbUS /θrɑːb/
pulsate or pound with abnormal force
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
weighingnounUS /ˈweɪɪŋ/
careful consideration
From this reading Delicate scales and glass measures occupied a neighboring shelf, and a big steel apparatus that looked rather like a lever weighing machine stood in the shadow.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The lattice shutters were closed, for the sake of privacy, and kept out the glare, though they could not keep out the heat, which soaked through the thin, iron walls, and Dick's face was wet with perspiration as he arranged a number of small concrete blocks.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading The small, galvanized iron building shook with the throb of engines and rattle of machinery, and now and then a shower of cinders pattered upon the roof; for the big mill that ground up the concrete was working across the road.
