used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
admittancenounUS /ədˈmɪtəns/
the right to enter
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
(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 One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
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 A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
desertionnounUS /dɪˈzɜːrʃən/
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
DREARYadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
DublinnounUS /ˈdʌblɪn/
capital and largest city and major port of the Irish Republic
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
endeavoringverbUS /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/
-ing form of “endeavor” — attempt by employing effort
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
headlessadjectiveUS /ˈhedləs/
not having a head or formed without a head
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
homesnounUS /hoʊmz/
plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
indicatedverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtəd/
past form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
knockernoun
(Yiddish) a big shot who knows it and acts that way; a boastful immoderate person
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
knockingnounUS /ˈnɑːkɪŋ/
the sound of knocking (as on a door or in an engine or bearing)
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
mansionnounUS /ˈmænʃən/
(astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
Merrion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
used to form the superlative
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
come into possession of
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
pretensionnounUS /priˈtenʃən/
a false or unsupportable quality
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
pretentiousadjectiveUS /priˈtenʃəs/
making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
the original amount of a debt on which interest is calculated
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
sad-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
sighingverbUS /ˈsaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
make square
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
having a supporting base
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
strikinglyadverbUS /ˈstraɪkɪŋli/
in a striking manner
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
strugglesnounUS /ˈstrʌɡəlz/
plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two persons had been standing at the door for a considerable time, and by every effort of knocker and bell endeavoring to obtain admittance.
vacancynounUS /ˈveɪkənsi/
being unoccupied
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
wailingnounUS /ˈweɪlɪŋ/
loud cries made while weeping
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
belonging to which person
From this reading One of these was a tall, erect man of about fifty, whose appearance but too plainly indicated that most painful of all struggles between poverty and a certain pretension.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading A DREARY evening late in October, a cold thin rain falling, and a low wailing wind sighing through the headless branches of the trees in Merrion Square, made Dublin seem as sad-looking and deserted as need be.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
wokeverbUS /woʊk/
inflected form of “wake” — be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading One sound alone woke the echoes in that silence; it was a loud knocking at the door of a large and pretentious mansion in the middle of the north side of the square.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
but in spite of that
From this reading The principal inhabitants had not yet returned to their homes for the winter, and the houses wore that melancholy look of vacancy and desertion so strikingly depressing.
