used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
matters of personal concern
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
bird-like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
collisionnounUS /kəˈlɪʒən/
(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading They were very pretty and well dressed, and with no reserve.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
flockedverbUS /flɑːkt/
past form of “flock” — move as a crowd or in a group
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
hoppings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
inconsequentlyadverb
lacking consequence
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
intelligibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtelədʒəbəl/
capable of being apprehended or understood
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
irritatedadjectiveUS /ˈɪrəteɪtəd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
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 One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
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 They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
the force of workers available
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
not any; not one
From this reading They were very pretty and well dressed, and with no reserve.
obtruding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
onslaughtnounUS /ˈɔːnslɔːt/
a sudden and severe onset of trouble
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading They were very pretty and well dressed, and with no reserve.
rear-endverb
collide with the rear end of
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
recentlyadverbUS /ˈriːsəntli/
in the recent past
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading They were very pretty and well dressed, and with no reserve.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
shriekingnounUS /ˈʃriːkɪŋ/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
smokernounUS /ˈsmoʊkər/
a person who smokes tobacco
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
sparrowsnounUS /ˈsperoʊz/
plural of “sparrow” — any of several small dull-colored singing birds feeding on seeds or insects
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They were as inconsequently confidential about their own affairs as so many sparrows, but more intelligible.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were very pretty and well dressed, and with no reserve.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
create by training and teaching
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
trebles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
unreasonablyadverbUS /ənˈriːzənəbli/
not in a reasonable or intelligent manner
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
precisely as stated
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading They were very pretty and well dressed, and with no reserve.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading One by one the men left and went into the smoker, before this onslaught of harsh trebles shrieking above the roar of the train, obtruding their little, bird-like affairs, their miniature hoppings upon the stage of life, upon all in the car.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were very few people in this car, for the reason that there had recently been a terrible rear-end collision on the road, and people had flocked into the forward cars.
which person or people
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading There were three young girls who filled the car with chatter, and irritated Maria unreasonably.
