used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
archedadjectiveUS /ɑːrtʃt/
constructed with or in the form of an arch or arches
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
barredadjectiveUS /bɑːrd/
preventing entry or exit or a course of action
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
buzzingadjectiveUS /ˈbʌzɪŋ/
noisy like the sound of a bee
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
citizensnounUS /ˈsɪtəzənz/
plural of “citizen” — a native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
Clare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
cooledverbUS /kuːld/
past form of “cool” — make cool or cooler
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
distractverbUS /dɪˈstrækt/
draw someone's attention away from something
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
dwellingnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋ/
housing that someone is living in
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
exoticadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɑːtɪk/
being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
a young female
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
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 RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
hoveredverbUS /ˈhʌvərd/
past form of “hover” — be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
insectsnounUS /ˈɪnsekts/
plural of “insect” — small air-breathing arthropod
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
jealouslyadverbUS /ˈdʒeləsli/
with jealousy
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
pationounUS /ˈpætioʊ/
usually paved outdoor area adjoining a residence
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
plazanounUS /ˈplɑːzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
RICHTER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
securelyadverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrli/
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
hard to endure
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
plural of “wall” — 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 Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RICHTER'S MESSAGE It was a hot evening and Clare sat at a table in the patio, trying to read.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
at the time that
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
in or at the place that
From this reading Footsteps and voices rose from the street outside, where the citizens were passing on their way to the plaza, but the sounds were faint and muffled by the high walls.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, with the iron gate in the narrow, arched entrance barred, the girl was securely cut off from the exotic life of the city.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The house had been built in times when women were jealously guarded and a dwelling was something of a fort.
but in spite of that
From this reading The light was bad, for buzzing insects hovered about the lamp, but the house had not cooled down yet and she wanted to distract her troubled thoughts.
