used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MYSTERY.
abideverbUS /əˈbaɪd/
dwell
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
anglernounUS /ˈæŋɡlər/
a scheming person; someone who schemes to gain an advantage
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
bouldersnounUS /ˈboʊldərz/
plural of “boulder” — a large smooth mass of rock detached from its place of origin
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
brooknounUS /brʊk/
a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
plural of “bush” — a low woody perennial plant usually having several major stems
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
the organ of sight
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
gladdenedadjective
made joyful
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
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 But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A MYSTERY.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/
plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
obstructedadjectiveUS /əbˈstrʌktɪd/
shut off to passage or view or hindered from action
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
win a victory over
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
poolsnounUS /puːlz/
plural of “pool” — an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
sockdolagers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
male cat
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading But Tom and his companion looked upon them as so many obstacles that were to be overcome with as little delay as possible.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The traveling in the gorge was quite as difficult as the two friends expected to find it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The bushes on each side were so thick that they could not walk on the bank, and the bed of the stream was covered with rocks and boulders, over which they slipped and stumbled at every step.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Now and then the way was obstructed by deep, dark pools which would have gladdened the eye of an angler, for it is in such places that the "sockdolagers" of the brook abide.
