used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading "Horrible Discovery near Purley Lock!" the headline announced.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
backwaternounUS /ˈbækwɔːtər/
a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I read on, rapidly, but thoughtfully.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
the act of discovering something
From this reading "Horrible Discovery near Purley Lock!" the headline announced.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
headlineverbUS /ˈhedlaɪn/
publicize widely or highly, as if with a headline
From this reading "Horrible Discovery near Purley Lock!" the headline announced.
provoking horror
From this reading "Horrible Discovery near Purley Lock!" the headline announced.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I read on, rapidly, but thoughtfully.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
fasten with a lock
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
Marlow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "Horrible Discovery near Purley Lock!" the headline announced.
being perceived or observed
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I read on, rapidly, but thoughtfully.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
Purley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
with speed
From this reading I read on, rapidly, but thoughtfully.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading I read on, rapidly, but thoughtfully.
reedsnounUS /riːdz/
plural of “reed” — tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
StrayingadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪɪŋ/
unable to find your way
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
ThamesnounUS /temz/
the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Straying along a small backwater, leading out from a larger one, they had noticed a peculiar object caught among a number of reeds.
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading I read on, rapidly, but thoughtfully.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
migratory
From this reading Two boys from Great Marlow had, it seemed, been wandering beside the river bank, between that village and Purley Lock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A Mystery of the Thames It was the name, Purley Lock, which had fastened my attention.
