adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
aspiredverbUS /əˈspaɪrd/
past form of “aspire” — have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
austereadjectiveUS /ɔːˈstɪr/
severely simple
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
bridgenounUS /brɪdʒ/
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
cementnounUS /səˈment/
concrete pavement is sometimes referred to as cement
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
churchesnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
citadels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
cleanadjectiveUS /kliːn/
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
delicateadjectiveUS /ˈdeləkət/
exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing; susceptible to injury
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/
earlier in time; previously
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
factoriesnounUS /ˈfæktəriz/
plural of “factory” — a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
fartheradjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrðər/
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
fledverbUS /fled/
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
franklyadverbUS /ˈfræŋkli/
(used as intensives reflecting the speaker's attitude) it is sincerely the case that
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
frettedadjectiveUS /ˈfretɪd/
having frets
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
fulladjectiveUS /fʊl/
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
generationsnounUS /ˌdʒenərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “generation” — all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
grotesqueries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
hoodnounUS /hʊd/
an aggressive and violent young criminal
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
hulkingadjectiveUS /ˈhʌlkɪŋ/
of great size and bulk
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/
the sound of laughing
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
limestonenounUS /ˈlaɪmstoʊn/
a sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcium that was deposited by the remains of marine animals
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
limousinenounUS /ˈlɪməziːn/
large luxurious car; usually driven by a chauffeur
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
longadjectiveUS /lɔːŋ/
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
mansardnoun
a hip roof having two slopes on each side
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
minaretsnounUS /ˌmɪnərˈets/
plural of “minaret” — slender tower with balconies
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
mistverbUS /mɪst/
become covered with mist
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
mudnounUS /mʌd/
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
noiselessadjective
making no sound
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
OfficenounUS /ˈɔːfɪs/
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
office-buildings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
OverprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
pitynounUS /ˈpɪti/
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
PostverbUS /poʊst/
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
rodsnounUS /rɑːdz/
plural of “rod” — a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
shingle-tortured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
shiningadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪnɪŋ/
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
sleekadjectiveUS /sliːk/
well-groomed and neatly tailored; especially too well-groomed
From this reading Over a concrete bridge fled a limousine of long sleek hood and noiseless engine.
sootedverbUS /ˈsʊtɪd/
past form of “soot” — coat with soot
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
steelnounUS /stiːl/
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
stingyadjectiveUS /ˈstɪndʒi/
unwilling to spend (money, time, resources, etc.)
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
structuresnounUS /ˈstrʌktʃərz/
plural of “structure” — a thing constructed; a complex entity constructed of many parts
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
sturdyadjectiveUS /ˈstɜːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
tenementsnounUS /ˈtenəmənts/
plural of “tenement” — a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
thrustingnounUS /ˈθrʌstɪŋ/
a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
tranquillitynounUS /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/
an untroubled state; free from disturbances
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The city was full of such grotesqueries, but the clean towers were thrusting them from the business center, and on the farther hills were shining new houses, homes--they seemed--for laughter and tranquillity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were neither citadels nor churches, but frankly and beautifully office-buildings.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
woodenadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdən/
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The mist took pity on the fretted structures of earlier generations: the Post Office with its shingle-tortured mansard, the red brick minarets of hulking old houses, factories with stingy and sooted windows, wooden tenements colored like mud.
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 The towers of Zenith aspired above the morning mist; austere towers of steel and cement and limestone, sturdy as cliffs and delicate as silver rods.
