used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
any thing at all
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
aroused or activated
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
cinder-laden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
dairynounUS /ˈderi/
a farm where dairy products are produced
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
DOESauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
embankmentnounUS /emˈbæŋkmənt/
a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
flakesnounUS /fleɪks/
plural of “flake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
FletchernounUS /ˈfletʃər/
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
groundward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
gustnounUS /ɡʌst/
a strong current of air
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
inflected form of “hide” — prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
set down according to a plan
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
the cloak as a symbol of authority
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
not in physical motion
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
passenger-laden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
a course of conduct
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
presageverbUS /ˈpresɪdʒ/
indicate, as with a sign or an omen
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
ramshackleadjectiveUS /ˈræmʃækəl/
in deplorable condition
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
scurriedverbUS /ˈskɜːrid/
inflected form of “scurry” — to move about or proceed hurriedly
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
SMOOTHLYadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Snow!
softnessnounUS /ˈsɔːftnəs/
the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
a male human offspring
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
spotlessadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːtləs/
completely neat and clean
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
suburbanadjectiveUS /səˈbɜːrbən/
relating to or characteristic of or situated in suburbs
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
thawnounUS /θɔː/
the process whereby heat changes something from a solid to a liquid
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
at the time that
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE DOES NOT RUN SMOOTHLY But the softness in the Christmas air did not presage a thaw.
a Caucasian
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A veil of fine, driving flakes scurried groundward with each gust of wind from the lake and half hid the passenger-laden suburban trains, and the ramshackle dairy buildings across the tracks.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Mrs. Fletcher closed the windows in her son's room the following morning, and laid her hand on his motionless shoulder, she awakened him with a greeting of, "Come, son, look out and see what's happened."
but in spite of that
From this reading Already the cinder-laden railroad embankment was covered with a white mantle, too new as yet to be anything but spotless, which in places had drifted across the rows of rails.
