used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That place must 'a' rotted down before now."
adventnounUS /ˈædvent/
arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
at or in the front
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
Can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
debateverbUS /dəˈbeɪt/
argue with one another
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading That place must 'a' rotted down before now."
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
eastwardadjectiveUS /ˈiːstwərd/
moving toward the east
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
formerlyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrmərli/
at a previous time
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
HAYnounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
keepernounUS /ˈkiːpər/
someone in charge of other people
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
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 Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
LOADnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading That place must 'a' rotted down before now."
naryadjectiveUS /ˈneri/
(used with singular count nouns) colloquial for “not a” or “not one” or “never a”
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading That place must 'a' rotted down before now."
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
onless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
prosperousadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːspərəs/
in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
railroadsnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊdz/
plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
rottedadjectiveUS /ˈrɑːtɪd/
damaged by decay; hence unsound and useless
From this reading That place must 'a' rotted down before now."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
creating thread
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
stage-coaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
tavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading The tavern keeper scratched his head as he reflected.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Before starting Phil had asked their host if he knew of an old inn some miles ahead that had formerly been prosperous during the old stage-coaching days, before the advent of the railroads.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Finally he said: "Can't think of nary place onless it's what they used to call the Ghost Tavern, but--law me!
in or at the place that
From this reading PASSING THE LOAD OF HAY Later that morning the Big Six was spinning over the road eastward from the small village where the preceding debate had occurred.
