used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
appearancesnounUS /əˈpɪrənsəz/
plural of “appearance” — outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
appreciableadjectiveUS /əˈpriːʃəbəl/
enough to be estimated or measured
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
the act of overcoming or outdoing
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
beatsnounUS /biːts/
a United States youth subculture of the 1950s; rejected possessions or regular work or traditional dress; for communal living and psychedelic drugs and anarchism; favored modern forms of jazz (e.g., bebop)
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
buttressesnounUS /ˈbʌtrəsəz/
plural of “buttress” — a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
put or send forth
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
devicesnounUS /dɪˈvaɪsəz/
an inclination or desire; used in the plural in the phrase “left to your own devices”
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
dominantadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːmənənt/
exercising influence or control
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
eddied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LOVE IN TWO SHADES.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading LOVE IN TWO SHADES.
title used for a married Frenchwoman
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
midstreamnounUS /ˈmɪdstriːm/
the middle of a stream
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
absolutely essential
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
not any; not one
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
oppressedadjectiveUS /əˈprest/
burdened psychologically or mentally
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
persistentlyadverbUS /pərˈsɪstəntli/
in a persistent manner
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
ringedadjectiveUS /rɪŋd/
shaped like a ring
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
Sagan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
Sagan's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
Identical; not different.
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
SHADESnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading LOVE IN TWO SHADES.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
not in physical motion
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
swayverbUS /sweɪ/
move back and forth or sideways
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
swirlsnounUS /swɜːrlz/
plural of “swirl” — the shape of something rotating rapidly
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading LOVE IN TWO SHADES.
unrestnounUS /ənˈrest/
a state of agitation or turbulent change or development
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
Valerie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But to Valerie the same suggestion of fear and unrest that had oppressed her on the previous evening still held its silent sway over the place.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Above, below, around, the snow eddied like a fairy torrent, beating against the solid walls and curling in curious ringed swirls about its buttresses as water beats about a rock in midstream.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading All the next morning the snow fell persistently, and Sagan might have been, as far as appearances went, a castle built in the air.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading But the dominant grey of the outside world cast no appreciable reflection on the spirits of Madame de Sagan's guests, with whom gaiety and wild devices for killing time were necessary and familiar things.
