used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
back-side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
bided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
a small house with a single story
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
FordnounUS /fɔːrd/
United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
set up or found
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
four-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
handyadjectiveUS /ˈhændi/
easy to reach
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
he'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
jobsnounUS /dʒɑːbz/
plural of “job” — the principal activity in your life that you do to earn money
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
likingnounUS /ˈlaɪkɪŋ/
a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
lodgernoun
a tenant in someone's house
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
neighboursnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbour” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
not any; not one
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
not divisible by two
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
ordainedadjectiveUS /ɔːrˈdeɪnd/
fixed or established especially by order or command
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
Pegram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
policeman'snounUS /pəˈliːsmənz/
possessive form of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
mutual dealings or connections or communications among persons or groups
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading And he'd do odd jobs for the neighbours and show a good bit of kindness to the children.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
sizedadjectiveUS /saɪzd/
having a specified size
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
in the near future
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
TeddynounUS /ˈtedi/
plaything consisting of a child's toy bear (usually plush and stuffed with soft materials)
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
express in words
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
tumble-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A most handy little man he was and could turn his skill in many directions.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
at the time that
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
in or at the place that
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Nobody knew where Teddy Pegram came from or why the man ordained to settle down in Little Silver.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading But he bided a bit with Mrs. Ford, the policeman's wife, as a lodger, and then, when he'd sized up the place and found it suited him, he took a tumble-down, four-room cottage at the back-side of the village and worked upon it himself and soon had the place to his liking.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had no relations round about and couldn't, or wouldn't, tell his new neighbours what had brought him along.
