used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
any person at all
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
from appearances alone
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
awakeadjectiveUS /əˈweɪk/
not in a state of sleep; completely conscious
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
ten 10s
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
temporary military shelter
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
hutsnounUS /hʌts/
plural of “hut” — temporary military shelter
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
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 Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
loftnounUS /lɔːft/
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
roofedadjectiveUS /ruːft/
covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
slabsnounUS /slæbz/
plural of “slab” — block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
not in physical motion
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
move an implement through
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Having seen this much, he sat down until, by the stir around, he knew that the camp was awake.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This one had a garden round it, and looked as if it was still inhabited.
look attentively
From this reading It was not until, as near as he could guess, nine o’clock--for his watch had been taken away from him--that anyone came near him, though he knew by the talking that there were two sentries at the door.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Like the hut in which he was confined, it was built of stone, and was roofed with slabs of the same material, but was larger and apparently had an upper story or loft.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading Two or three small huts and houses were dotted here and there on the plain, the nearest of them being about two hundred yards away.
