used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
(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 My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
chickennounUS /ˈtʃɪkən/
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
cocksnounUS /kɑːks/
plural of “cock” — obscene terms for penis
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
a small house with a single story
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
characterized by great determination
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
to an extreme degree
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
fernsnounUS /fɜːrnz/
plural of “fern” — any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
hensnounUS /henz/
plural of “hen” — adult female chicken
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
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 It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
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 My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
engage in
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
march in a procession
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
come into possession of
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
omelettenoun
beaten eggs or an egg mixture cooked until just set; may be folded around e.g. ham or cheese or jelly
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
provideverbUS /prəˈvaɪd/
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading It could at least provide me with a chicken and with an omelette.
reconnaissancenounUS /riˈkɑːnəsəns/
the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
rusticadjectiveUS /ˈrʌstɪk/
characteristic of rural life
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
secludedadjectiveUS /sɪˈkluːdɪd/
hidden from general view or use
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
summonverbUS /ˈsʌmən/
call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
surrendernounUS /sərˈendər/
acceptance of despair
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
swarmnounUS /swɔːrm/
a moving crowd
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
in or at that place or location
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading My bread was finished, and I was exceedingly hungry after my long journey; I determined, therefore, to make a short reconnaissance, and then to march up to this cottage, summon it to surrender, and help myself to all that I needed.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I lay down among the ferns and watched it, for it seemed to be exactly the kind of place where I might obtain what I wanted.
in or at the place that
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a neat little house, with a rustic porch and a small garden in front of it, with a swarm of cocks and hens.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading About midday I came to where, in a secluded valley, there stood a single small cottage without any other building in sight.
