used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
the two together, not just one
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
contradictedverbUS /ˌkɑːntrəˈdɪktəd/
past form of “contradict” — be in contradiction with
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
day-dews
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
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 I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
used to form the superlative
From this reading I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
outrageouslyadverbUS /ˌaʊˈtreɪdʒəsli/
in a very offensive manner
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
by chance
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
sellersnounUS /ˈselərz/
English comic actor (1925-1980)
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
sonorousadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːnərəs/
full and loud and deep
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
move hurridly
From this reading I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It occurred to me that I was perhaps late, and I dressed fast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading I made the utmost haste, but, as in most cases, it was least speed.
violinsnounUS /vaɪəˈlɪnz/
plural of “violin” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading About half-way to the end, I heard the violins begin, both of them; but now they outrageously contradicted each other in different directions, and I could keep by my ear to neither.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
a Caucasian
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Hard and white the day-dews stood upon the windows; the sky was clear as light itself, and my soul sprang as into the arms of freedom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I awoke with sonorous cries, and sounds of bells, and songs of sellers, and the dim ringing of wheels on a frosty soil.
