used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was a forlorn look about it, and the windows were broken.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading There was a forlorn look about it, and the windows were broken.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
copsenoun
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
a small house with a single story
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
cottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
forlornadjectiveUS /fərˈlɔːrn/
marked by or showing hopelessness
From this reading There was a forlorn look about it, and the windows were broken.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
half-hidden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
hamletnounUS /ˈhæmlət/
a community of people smaller than a village
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
and nothing more
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
a narrow way or road
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
immediately past
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There was a forlorn look about it, and the windows were broken.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
and nothing more
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
cut with a saw
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
make square
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The square tower of a church, and a big house half-hidden by trees on higher ground beyond the cottages, made it probable that it was more than merely a hamlet.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
precisely as stated
From this reading Just before he reached it a sharp turn in the lane brought him upon a very minute copse set a pace or so back from the road, and in the copse was a small cottage or hut.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading At last, however, he saw the roofs of cottages, and realized that he was approaching a village.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DESERTED COTTAGE For some time there was nothing but open country around him, though in the far distance he saw an occasional farmhouse.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was a forlorn look about it, and the windows were broken.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading There was a forlorn look about it, and the windows were broken.
