Chapter II · Chapter 2

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

anew

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

(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 And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

a narrow street with walls on both sides

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

weapons considered collectively

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

plural of “avenue” — a line of approach

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a bell tower; usually stands alone unattached to a building

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a hill near Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

any large and important church

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

plural of “chime” — a percussion instrument consisting of a set of tuned bells that are struck with a hammer; used as an orchestral instrument

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

feeling or showing worry or solicitude

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

(criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

travel across or pass over

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

a flow of electricity through a conductor

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

every day; without missing a day

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

an impairment of health or a condition of abnormal functioning

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

divisible by two

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

at any time

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

the floating wreckage of a ship

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

-ing form of “generate” — bring into existence

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

any place of pain and turmoil

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

the act of retaining something

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

the part of a ship's equipment or cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

having or covered with leaves

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

most important element

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

of an obscure nature

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

a person who lives (or is located) near another

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

impressive in appearance

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

(followed by “to” or “of”) lacking conscious awareness of

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

above and across; more than

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

not fanciful or imaginative

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

located far away spatially

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

morally degraded

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Heaven was too remote and mysterious, Hell too present and prosaic, to be of the least interest.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

not in or exhibiting good health in body or mind

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

precisely as stated

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE SNAWDORS AT HOME If ever a place had a down-at-heel, out-of-elbow sort of look, it was Calvary Alley.

very cordial

From this reading And the cathedral itself, holding out welcoming arms to all the noble avenues that stretched in leafy luxury to the south, forgot entirely to glance over its shoulder at the sordid little neighbor that lay under the very shadow of its cross.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading At its open end and two feet above it the city went rushing and roaring past like a great river, quite oblivious of this unhealthy bit of backwater into which some of its flotsam and jetsam had been caught and held, generating crime and disease and sending them out again into the main current.

a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.

in the company of; together with

From this reading For despite the fact that the alley rested under the very wing of the great cathedral from which it took its name, despite the fact that it echoed daily to the chimes in the belfry and at times could even hear the murmured prayers of the congregation, it concerned itself not in the least with matters of the spirit.