used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
ChicknounUS /tʃɪk/
young bird especially of domestic fowl
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
a person who is in charge
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
without stop or interruption
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
cursoryadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrsəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
one or the other of two
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
a movement into or inward
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
extensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstensɪv/
large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/
Irish mathematician (1806-1865)
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
a health facility where patients receive treatment
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
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 He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
mowernounUS /ˈmoʊər/
garden tool for mowing grass on lawns
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
objectionnounUS /əbˈdʒekʃən/
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
and nothing more
From this reading Entering with an air of cursory interest only, he approached him and inquired:
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
Osgood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
the act of searching for something
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
sizedadjectiveUS /saɪzd/
having a specified size
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
express in speech
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
make square
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Is there any objection to my looking around a bit?”
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
at the time that
From this reading It was half past nine when Chick sauntered across Hamilton Square and sized up the buildings and grounds of the Osgood Hospital.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had learned from his chief the general lay of the land, so to speak, and continued around the extensive park and grounds, seeking the rear gate through which Mabel Smith, so called, had either entered or been carried into the place.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading He was not long in finding the gate, and he then discovered a gardener at work near by with a lawn mower.
