used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
anew
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
a youthful male person
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
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 The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
take the midday meal
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
the force of workers available
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
MILLverbUS /mɪl/
move about in a confused manner
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
objectedverbUS /əbˈdʒektəd/
past form of “object” — express or raise an objection or protest or criticism or express dissent
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
on one occasion
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
overlookedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkt/
not taken into account
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
any competition
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
ravagesnounUS /ˈrævɪdʒɪz/
plural of “ravage” — (usually plural) a destructive action
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
structurenounUS /ˈstrʌktʃər/
a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
the upper part of anything
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
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 They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Outside the front door, they could see three figures, two men and a boy.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading IN THE MILL RACE An hour later, the Hardy boys and their chums reached the vicinity of the old mill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
weatherbeaten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
change directions as if revolving on a pivot
From this reading The mill wheel turned slowly, creaking painfully as though it objected to being forced to labor again after its long rest.
at the time that
From this reading They had lunch in the shade of the trees along the deserted road, and it was early in the afternoon when they arrived at the top of the hill that overlooked the river.
a late time of life
From this reading The old mill was a sturdy structure that had once been strong and imposing but was now weatherbeaten and showed the ravages of the years.
