used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
babblingnounUS /ˈbæbəlɪŋ/
gibberish resembling the sounds of a baby
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading EACH BEFORE HIS OWN DOOR.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
a long seat for more than one person
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
chatverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading EACH BEFORE HIS OWN DOOR.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading EACH BEFORE HIS OWN DOOR.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
excessiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsesɪv/
beyond normal limits
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
brought together in one place
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading EACH BEFORE HIS OWN DOOR.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading EACH BEFORE HIS OWN DOOR.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
provokesverbUS /prəˈvoʊks/
third-person singular of “provoke” — call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
seasoningnounUS /ˈsiːzənɪŋ/
something added to food primarily for the savor it imparts
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
temptedverbUS /ˈtemptɪd/
past form of “tempt” — dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
from that place or that time
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
villagersnounUS /ˈvɪlɪdʒərz/
plural of “villager” — one who has lived in a village most of their life
From this reading The cool evening following the excessive heat of the day had tempted the villagers out of doors.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Thence can be seen the passing on both sides, while the babbling of the brook provokes conversation.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading Various woods were lying seasoning in the water below.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Some families sat on the bench before their houses, but more were gathered about the stone railing of the bridge, always a favorite place of evening resort for rest or social chat after the day's work.
