used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
encloses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They are waiting for friends and relatives; and this gloomy stone wall encloses a prison.
expectancynounUS /ɪkˈspektənsi/
an expectation
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They are waiting for friends and relatives; and this gloomy stone wall encloses a prison.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading They are waiting for friends and relatives; and this gloomy stone wall encloses a prison.
depressingly dark
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
GroupedadjectiveUS /ɡruːpt/
arranged into groups
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
inexpressiblyadverb
to an inexpressible degree
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading THE PRISON WALL.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading They are waiting for friends and relatives; and this gloomy stone wall encloses a prison.
risesnounUS /ˈraɪzəz/
plural of “rise” — a growth in strength or number or importance
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading Although it is broad day, the aspect of the scene is inexpressibly depressing.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PRISON WALL.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They are waiting for friends and relatives; and this gloomy stone wall encloses a prison.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They are waiting for friends and relatives; and this gloomy stone wall encloses a prison.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
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 THE PRISON WALL.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Grouped about the pavement which skirts the wall are nearly a score of persons, waiting in a state of painful expectancy.
a late time of life
From this reading Seven years have passed, and the curtain rises upon a high gloomy stone wall.
