used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
cause to be bored
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
bypathnoun
a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
being one more than seven
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
ENCOUNTERSnounUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərz/
plural of “encounter” — a minor short-term fight
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
a man of refinement
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
hedgesnounUS /ˈhedʒɪz/
plural of “hedge” — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
high-road
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
intimationnounUS /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃən/
an indirect suggestion
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
and nothing more
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
mile-stone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
the middle of the day
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
OLIVERnounUS /ˈɑːləvər/
United States jazz musician who influenced the style of Louis Armstrong (1885-1938)
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
on one occasion
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
overtakenverbUS /ˈoʊvərteɪkən/
inflected form of “overtake” — catch up with and possibly overtake
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
a person who is being chased
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
seventyadjectiveUS /ˈsevənti/
being ten more than sixty
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The stone by which he was seated bore in large characters an intimation that it was just seventy miles from that spot to London.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
terminatedadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrməneɪtɪd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
up to a particular time
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
plural of “turn” — a circular segment of a curve
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
WALKSnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was eight o’clock now; and, though he was nearly five miles away from the town, he ran, and hid behind the hedges by turns, till noon, fearing that he might be pursued and overtaken.
in or at the place that
From this reading Then he sat down to rest by the side of a mile-stone, and began to think for the first time where he had better go and try to live.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading OLIVER reached the style at which the bypath terminated, and once more gained the high-road.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading OLIVER WALKS TO LONDON, AND ENCOUNTERS ON THE ROAD A STRANGE SORT OF YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
