used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
a quantity of money
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
CarternounUS /ˈkɑːrtər/
Englishman and Egyptologist who in 1922 discovered and excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen (1873-1939)
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
Colin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
consistedverbUS /kənˈsɪstəd/
past form of “consist” — originate
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
contortionsnounUS /kənˈtɔːrʃənz/
plural of “contortion” — the act of twisting or deforming the shape of something (e.g., yourself)
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
creeper-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
enterprisenounUS /ˈentərpraɪz/
a purposeful or industrious undertaking (especially one that requires effort or boldness)
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
expansenounUS /ɪkˈspæns/
a wide scope
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
yet to be or coming
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
gauntadjectiveUS /ɡɔːnt/
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
a quick look
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
grillenounUS /ɡrɪl/
small opening (like a window in a door) through which business can be transacted
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
ill-kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
indulgeverbUS /ˌɪnˈdʌldʒ/
give free rein to
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
inspectedverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪd/
past form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
and nothing more
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
leisuredadjective
free from duties or responsibilities
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
LodgeverbUS /lɑːdʒ/
be a lodger; stay temporarily
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
mindedadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪndəd/
(used in combination) mentally oriented toward something specified
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
neglectedadjectiveUS /nəˈɡlektəd/
disregarded
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
come into possession of
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
and nothing more
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
overhungverbUS /oʊvərˈhʌŋ/
inflected form of “overhang” — project over
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
passagewaynounUS /ˈpæsədʒweɪ/
a passage between rooms or between buildings
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
passer-bynoun
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
the possibility of future success
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
rewardedverbUS /rɪˈwɔːrdɪd/
past form of “reward” — bestow honor or rewards upon
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
make square
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
having a supporting base
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
stuntedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌntɪd/
inferior in size or quality
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
confined on all sides
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Red Lodge, the home of Professor Carter, dated back to the leisured days of George the Third.
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 Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Standing on the pavement, Colin inspected what was probably his future residence with a considerable amount of curiosity.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Through the outside gate, the upper half of which consisted of an iron grille, the curiously minded passer-by could, by straining his neck, just obtain a glimpse into the neglected garden.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was a square, creeper-clad house, surrounded by a high wall, with a covered passageway leading up from the street to the front door.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Whether it were worth his while to indulge in such contortions, however, was a matter of some doubt, for a desolate expanse of ill-kept lawn, dotted here and there with stunted bushes and overhung by gaunt trees, was the only prospect that rewarded his enterprise.
