used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
BlightnounUS /blaɪt/
a state or condition being blighted
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
cellnounUS /sel/
A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
dilapidatedadjectiveUS /dəˈlæpədeɪtɪd/
in deplorable condition
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
flightsnounUS /flaɪts/
plural of “flight” — a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
the act of giving
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
only a very short time before
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
temporary military shelter
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
ill-furnished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
set afire or burning
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
free of extraneous elements of any kind
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
ricketyadjectiveUS /ˈrɪkəti/
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
Rufus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
tenementnounUS /ˈtenəmənt/
a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
having come into contact
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
tumble-downadjective
in deplorable condition
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Giving me the chair, my host seated himself upon the bed, so close to me, of necessity, that our knees touched.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading If the old was tumble-down, dark and ill-furnished, its air was the pure air of the mountains and the way to it through things green and lovely.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading To the new we went through squalid streets, westward, toward the river; we turned into a dilapidated tenement; we climbed three flights of rickety stairs into a room which compared to mine as mine to the house of Rufus Blight.
in or at the place that
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading For myself I should have chosen the hut where I first met the Professor above the home to which he led me in the early morning.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The lighted gas revealed hardly more than a narrow cell, with dirty, torn paper on the walls, a narrow bed, a cheap table, and a single chair.
