used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
bespokeadjectiveUS /bʊˈspoʊk/
(of clothing) custom-made
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
BIRTH-MARK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BIRTH-MARK.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
earth'snounUS /ɜːrθs/
possessive form of “earth” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
entertainingadjectiveUS /ˌentərˈteɪnɪŋ/
agreeably diverting
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
estimableadjectiveUS /ˈestəməbəl/
deserving of respect or high regard
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
facultynounUS /ˈfækəlti/
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
fearfullyadverb
in fear
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
brought together in one place
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
illuminedverbUS /ˌɪˈluːmənd/
past form of “illumine” — make lighter or brighter
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
lifelessadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪfləs/
deprived of life; no longer living
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
lightning's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
low-sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
McDowell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
not any; not one
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
pallverbUS /pɑːl/
become less interesting or attractive
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
rimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
royallyadverbUS /ˈrɔɪəli/
in a royal manner
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
solicitationnounUS /səˌlɪsɪˈteɪʃən/
an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
SouthernersnounUS /ˈsʌðərnərz/
plural of “southerner” — an American who lives in the South
From this reading Like most Southerners, Major McDowell had the happy faculty of entertaining his guests royally.
swellingnounUS /ˈswelɪŋ/
an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BIRTH-MARK.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
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 Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Afternoon brought a rimming haze; the wind had hushed, and the thick, lifeless air bespoke rain.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
Yorker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The New Yorker was there for the day, at the kind solicitation of the Major and his most estimable wife.
zenithnounUS /ˈziːnəθ/
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading A cloud no bigger than a man’s hand had gathered at low-sky; then mounted, swelling, to the zenith, and wrapped the heavens in a pall and covered the earth’s face with darkness that was fearfully illumined by the lightning’s glare.
