used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
the state of being absent
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
adornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
allegedadjectiveUS /əˈledʒd/
declared but not proved
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
behaviornounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
blownadjectiveUS /bloʊn/
being moved or acted upon by moving air or vapor
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
collarnounUS /ˈkɑːlər/
a band that fits around the neck and is usually folded over
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
coolnessnounUS /ˈkuːlnəs/
calm and unruffled self-assurance
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
EXCURSIONnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
Gordon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
leadsnounUS /liːdz/
plural of “lead” — an advantage held by a competitor in a race
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
the act of departing
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
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 This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
the force of workers available
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
be obedient to
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
many times at short intervals
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
past form of “plunge” — thrust or throw into
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
compacted by ironing
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
productiveadjectiveUS /prəˈdʌktɪv/
producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly)
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
scentnounUS /sɛnt/
A distinctive smell or aroma.
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
get by special effort
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
starchedverbUS /stɑːrtʃt/
past form of “starch” — stiffen with starch
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
carry out
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
throttleverbUS /ˈθrɑːtəl/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading The ladies, secure in the absence of starched things such as we men throttle ourselves with, had been pictures of comfortable coolness.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
under normal conditions
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE TAKE AN EXCURSION The day was a hot one.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading But in the street I plunged in an atmosphere of sodden heat and refused to obey the instinct that usually leads me to walk whenever I am not pressed for time.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In Gordon's studio a slight breeze had blown in and mingled with the scent of the flowers with which his table was adorned, and the behavior of my collar had been of the best.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading This happens often, for the productive hours of a writer are few, leaving many to be employed in alleged thoughts.
