used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INFERNAL CITY.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
benightedadjectiveUS /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/
overtaken by night or darkness
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
with bitterness; in a resentful manner
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
CarsonnounUS /ˈkɑːrsən/
United States biologist remembered for her opposition to the use of pesticides that were hazardous to wildlife (1907-1964)
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
an occurrence of something
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading AN INFERNAL CITY.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
comparisonnounUS /kəmˈperəsən/
the act of examining resemblances
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
crevicesnounUS /ˈkrevəsɪz/
plural of “crevice” — a long narrow depression in a surface
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
hurricanesnounUS /ˈhɜːrəkeɪnz/
plural of “hurricane” — a severe tropical cyclone usually with heavy rains and winds moving at 63-136 knots (12 on the Beaufort scale)
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
INFERNALadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrnəl/
characteristic of or resembling Hell
From this reading AN INFERNAL CITY.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
immediately past
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
rainedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “rain” — precipitate as rain
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
the extended spatial location of something
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
ridiculouslyadverbUS /rəˈdɪkjələsli/
so as to arouse or deserve laughter
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
express in words
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
only a very short time before
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
shantiesnounUS /ˈʃæntiz/
plural of “shanty” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
snow-drift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
snowedverbUS /snoʊd/
past form of “snow” — fall as snow
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
in the near future
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/
an example regarded as typical of its class
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
the season of growth
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
having a supporting base
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
stormedverbUS /stɔːrmd/
past form of “storm” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
tameverbUS /teɪm/
correct by punishment or discipline
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
tenementnounUS /ˈtenəmənt/
a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
up to a particular time
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
vengeancenounUS /ˈvendʒəns/
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Through the crevices came little hurricanes of snow-drift mixed with sand; each tenement groaned and creaked as if its last hour had come; the air was bitterly cold; and it seemed, in short, as if the vengeance of Heaven had been let loose on this desolate and benighted region.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading A few days after my arrival in Carson the sky darkened, and we soon had a specimen of the spring weather of this region.
whistledverbUS /ˈwɪsəld/
past form of “whistle” — make whistling sounds
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind whistled through the thin shanties in a manner that left scarcely a hope of roof or frame standing till night.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To say that it stormed, snowed, and rained would be ridiculously tame in comparison with the real state of the case.
