used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
bedraggledadjectiveUS /bɪˈdræɡəld/
limp and soiled as if dragged in the mud
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
without deviation
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
extendingverbUS /ɪkˈstendɪŋ/
-ing form of “extend” — extend in scope or range or area
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
enclose with a fence
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
good-sized
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
hollyhocksnounUS /ˈhɑːlihɑːks/
plural of “hollyhock” — any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A door in the fence, securely padlocked, led onto the road.
inclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
conformity or harmony
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading At the back of the store was a door which led into a good-sized yard extending along the backs of the store and the living house.
inflected form of “nod” — express or signify by nodding
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
ontoprepositionUS /ˈɑːntuː/
moving to a position on a surface
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
padlockedverbUS /ˈpædlɑːkt/
past form of “padlock” — fasten with a padlock
From this reading A door in the fence, securely padlocked, led onto the road.
peepedverbUS /piːpt/
past form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading A door in the fence, securely padlocked, led onto the road.
shrubsnounUS /ʃrʌbz/
plural of “shrub” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
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 There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
sweet-williams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
very small
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading KEEPING STORE It was a queer little store.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were a few bedraggled shrubs here and a row of hollyhocks nodded along a stretch of the high board fence which inclosed the space.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading There was a window on each side of the front door, a window which peeped out onto the tiny side yard and the brick walk, and the sweet-williams, and a window directly opposite which, had the shutters been open, would have given a view of the houses across the road and the river beyond.
