used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She almost screamed, then put it down to the heat and hurried by.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
bookstorenounUS /ˈbʊkstɔːr/
a shop where books are sold
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
BoulevardnounUS /ˈbʊləvɑːrd/
a wide street or thoroughfare
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
breezesnounUS /ˈbriːzɪz/
plural of “breeze” — a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
Buckingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/
largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
downtownnounUS /ˈdaʊnˈtaʊn/
the central area or commercial center of a town or city
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
drowningverbUS /ˈdraʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
fansnounUS /fænz/
plural of “fan” — a device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
fountainnounUS /ˈfaʊntən/
a structure from which an artificially produced jet of water arises
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading She almost screamed, then put it down to the heat and hurried by.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
hot-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading She almost screamed, then put it down to the heat and hurried by.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
MichigannounUS /ˈmɪʃɪɡən/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
a particular point in time
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
nonchalantlyadverbUS /ˈnɑːnʃəˈlɑːntli/
in a composed and unconcerned manner
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
poolnounUS /puːl/
an excavation that is (usually) filled with water
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She almost screamed, then put it down to the heat and hurried by.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
cut with a saw
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
screamedverbUS /skriːmd/
past form of “scream” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading She almost screamed, then put it down to the heat and hurried by.
shadowedadjectiveUS /ˈʃædoʊd/
filled with shade
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She almost screamed, then put it down to the heat and hurried by.
shimmeringverbUS /ˈʃɪmərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
Stan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
having a supporting base
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
strayverbUS /streɪ/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
strolledverbUS /stroʊld/
past form of “stroll” — walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
sweatnounUS /swet/
salty fluid secreted by sweat glands
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
swelteringadjectiveUS /ˈsweltərɪŋ/
excessively hot and humid or marked by sweating and faintness
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
tarnounUS /tɑːr/
any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
wanderverbUS /ˈwɑːndər/
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a summer evening and downtown Chicago was a hot-box of sweltering buildings and steaming tar streets.
at the time that
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
in or at the place that
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Stan strolled up Michigan Boulevard to stop for a moment in front of a bookstore where a man had been staring in the window.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading People stretched out on the lawns in front of Buckingham fountain for any stray breezes that might wander in off the lake or else they curled up in front of fans and read until the small hours of the morning when the temperature had drifted down a few degrees so it was possible to go to bed without drowning in a pool of their own sweat.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading A woman walking by the Pure Oil building suddenly saw a shimmering in the air and then a man was standing in the shadowed doorway, staring nonchalantly at her.
