used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
(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 Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
BatesverbUS /beɪts/
third-person singular of “bate” — moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
bathingnounUS /ˈbeɪðɪŋ/
immersing the body in water or sunshine
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
boatingnounUS /ˈboʊtɪŋ/
water travel for pleasure
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
plural of “boat” — a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
Brandon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
BRANDON'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BRANDON'S JOKE.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
DeannounUS /diːn/
an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
Dean'snounUS /diːnz/
possessive form of “dean” — an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
dollarnounUS /ˈdɑːlər/
the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
Dunham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
flat-bottomedadjective
having a flat bottom
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading BRANDON'S JOKE.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
pondnounUS /pɑːnd/
a small lake
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
one of four equal parts
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
skatingnounUS /ˈskeɪtɪŋ/
the sport of gliding on skates
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
spannounUS /spæn/
the complete duration of something
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
spicknoun
(ethnic slur) offensive term for persons of Latin American descent
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
precisely as stated
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About quarter of a mile from the village was a pond of small size, not over a third of a mile across, but it provided the boys of the village a great deal of amusement.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
which person or people
From this reading Among the boys who had boats on the pond were Dean Dunham and Brandon Bates, but there was a considerable difference between them.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading In the summer it afforded chances for bathing and boating, in the winter for skating.
a late time of life
From this reading Dean's was an old flat-bottomed boat, which he had bought for a dollar from a man who had used it for half a dozen years, while Brandon's was spick and span new, a very handsome craft, and by all odds the finest on the pond.
