used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
(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 Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
fearless and daring
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
BristlesnounUS /ˈbrɪsəlz/
plural of “bristle” — a stiff fiber (coarse hair or filament); natural or synthetic
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
countingnounUS /ˈkaʊntɪŋ/
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
creatingverbUS /kriˈeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “create” — make or cause to be or to become
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
divisible by two
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
GABE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW GABE MADE GOOD "Good gracious!"
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading HOW GABE MADE GOOD "Good gracious!"
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading HOW GABE MADE GOOD "Good gracious!"
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
hen-roosts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW GABE MADE GOOD "Good gracious!"
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
and nothing more
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading HOW GABE MADE GOOD "Good gracious!"
most important element
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
come together
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
millverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
musclesnounUS /ˈmʌsəlz/
plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
not any; not one
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
not one, and not any
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
go across or through
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
robberynounUS /ˈrɑːbəri/
larceny by threat of violence
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
Sid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
trampsnounUS /træmpz/
plural of “tramp” — a vagrant
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
a source of difficulty
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
precisely as stated
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They expected trouble of some sort, at least; Bristles was even counting on it, and would be very much disappointed if it failed to come to pass.
WellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But instead of a group of lads at bay, and ready to give as good as they received, they discovered what seemed to be just two figures on the floor of the mill.
at the time that
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
which person or people
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sid Wells called out The boys had pushed into the main part of the mill, with their nerves all on edge, and their muscles set in readiness for a struggle.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Whether they would meet the three tramps who were creating no end of excitement around the vicinity by their bold robbery of hen-roosts, and even houses; or some desperate boys ready to fight when caught in a trap, none of them knew.
