used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
apronnounUS /ˈeɪprən/
a garment of cloth or leather or plastic that is tied about the waist and worn to protect your clothing
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
barnnounUS /bɑːrn/
an outlying farm building for storing grain or animal feed and housing farm animals
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
blacksmithnounUS /ˈblæksmɪθ/
a smith who forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
blacksmith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I inquired, stopping in front of the blacksmith's.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
broad-shoulderedadjective
having broad shoulders
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
without deviation
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
elm-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
footpathnounUS /ˈfʊtpæθ/
a trodden path
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading I inquired, stopping in front of the blacksmith's.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
destroyed or killed
From this reading 'Has the motor-car gone?'
grufflyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌfli/
in a gruff manner
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
hammernounUS /ˈhæmər/
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
Hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Has the motor-car gone?'
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading I inquired, stopping in front of the blacksmith's.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
a narrow way or road
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
most important element
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
motor-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Has the motor-car gone?'
to a great degree or extent
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
on the contrary
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
do one's shopping
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was exactly the place I should have selected in order to get away from the main road had I known of its existence.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
signifyingverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “signify” — denote or connote
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
fastener consisting of a narrow strip of welded metal used to join steel members
From this reading I inquired, stopping in front of the blacksmith's.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The blacksmith, a tall, broad-shouldered man, wearing a leather apron, stood at the door with a hammer in his right hand, his shop being a kind of barn beneath a tall elm-tree, directly opposite the narrow lane, with a board signifying that it was a footpath to Barton.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Don't see much sign of it, do you?' he answered, rather gruffly.
