used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
at or in or to any place
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
balustradenoun
a railing at the side of a staircase or balcony to prevent people from falling
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
bellyingadjective
curving outward
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
next to; at the side of
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
circularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
continualadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəl/
recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
seemingly without interruption
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
divisible by two
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
apart from; not including
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
fringesnounUS /ˈfrɪndʒɪz/
plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
gallowsnounUS /ˈɡæloʊz/
an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
murmuringnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərɪŋ/
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
not any; not one
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
pike-points
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
one of four equal parts
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
ringedadjectiveUS /rɪŋd/
shaped like a ring
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Close beside them a column of black smoke rose heavily into the morning air, bellying away into the clear air.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I A great murmuring crowd filled every flat spot of ground and pavement and parapet.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
make steady
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A continual steady low murmur of talking went up continually.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They stood even on the balustrade of St. Mary's Bridge; there were fringes of them against the sky on the edges of roofs a quarter of a mile away.
in or at the place that
From this reading No flat surface was to be seen anywhere except on the broad reach of the river, and near the head of the bridge, in the circular space, ringed by steel caps and pike-points, where the gallows and ladder rose.
