used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
Brigida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
lacking funds
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
characterizesverbUS /ˈkerəktəraɪzəz/
third-person singular of “characterize” — describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
CLARE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
someone who is a detective
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
draughtnounUS /dræft/
a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
enervatingadjective
causing debilitation
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
brought together in one place
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
death of a person
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
the act of departing
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
Lucille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
used to form the superlative
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
mustyadjectiveUS /ˈmʌsti/
covered with or smelling of mold
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
not any; not one
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
nursesnounUS /ˈnɜːrsəz/
plural of “nurse” — one skilled in caring for young children or the sick (usually under the supervision of a physician)
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
nursingnounUS /ˈnɜːrsɪŋ/
the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
held or filled or in use
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
patiosnounUS /ˈpætioʊz/
plural of “patio” — usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
reactedverbUS /riˈæktɪd/
past form of “react” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
relapseverbUS /riˈlæps/
deteriorate in health
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
SantanounUS /ˈsæntə/
the legendary patron saint of children; an imaginary being who is thought to bring presents to children at Christmas
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
sicknessnounUS /ˈsɪknəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
slitsnounUS /slɪts/
plural of “slit” — a long narrow opening
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
refrain from harming
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
stagnantadjectiveUS /ˈstæɡnənt/
not circulating or flowing
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
SteamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
suckingnounUS /ˈsʌkɪŋ/
the act of sucking
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
swelteringadjectiveUS /ˈsweltərɪŋ/
excessively hot and humid or marked by sweating and faintness
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was sickness in the town and the doctor could spare but little time to him, the nursing sister was occupied, and Dick was, for the most part, left to Clare and Lucille.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading CLARE GETS A SHOCK For a week the stagnant heat brooded over Santa Brigida, sucking up the citizens' energy and leaving limp depression.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
which person or people
From this reading This reacted upon Dick, who had a bad relapse, and for some days caused his nurses grave anxiety.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading No draught crept through the slits of windows into the darkened houses, and the musty smell that characterizes old Spanish cities gathered in the patios and sweltering rooms.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Steaming showers that broke at intervals filled the air with an enervating damp, and the nights were worse than the days.
