used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
anew
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
BehindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
a female human offspring
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
the act of departing
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
landscapenounUS /ˈlændskeɪp/
an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
immediately past
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
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 The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
planksnounUS /plæŋks/
plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
cut with a saw
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
sawmillnounUS /ˈsɔːmɪl/
a large sawing machine
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
smotheredadjectiveUS /ˈsmʌðərd/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/
in a confused mass
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
thuds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
trafficnounUS /ˈtræfɪk/
the aggregation of things (pedestrians or vehicles) coming and going in a particular locality during a specified period of time
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
underwoodnounUS /ˈʌndərwʊd/
the brush (small trees and bushes and ferns etc.) growing beneath taller trees in a wood or forest
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a great deal of traffic going on, the hum of it reached their ears.
waterfallnounUS /ˈwɔːtərfɔːl/
a steep descent of the water of a river
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The river cut its way through the landscape in long curves.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
wheeledadjectiveUS /wiːld/
having wheels; often used in combination
From this reading Down at the station, loaded trucks were being wheeled about.
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 From the south bow window in the hotel, the mother and daughter followed its course through tangled underwood and birch forest; sometimes it disappeared, and then shone out again, and at last became fully visible.
buildings for carrying on industrial labor
From this reading Behind the hotel were the works, the sawmill; smothered thuds and blows were heard, and more faintly the roar of the waterfall; over everything else the shrill sound of the planks as the saw went through them.
