used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
dwellingsnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋz/
plural of “dwelling” — housing that someone is living in
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading The streets were empty.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/
the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
forcingverbUS /ˈfɔːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “force” — to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
gallerynounUS /ˈɡæləri/
spectators at a golf or tennis match
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
brought together in one place
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
to a considerable degree
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
inkyadjectiveUS /ˈɪŋki/
of the color of black ink
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
the force of workers available
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
not any; not one
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
pillarsnounUS /ˈpɪlərz/
plural of “pillar” — a fundamental principle or practice
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
riftnounUS /rɪft/
a gap between cloud masses
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
squaresnounUS /skwerz/
plural of “square” — (geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
street-lanterns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
in or at that place or location
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It was a dark November evening; a fog lay heavily on the town, filling the old streets and squares, and forcing its way into the houses.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets were empty.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading It hung over the river, rolled along the black stream, under the bridge, up the steps, and clung to the wooden pillars of the gallery.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At times there would be a rift in its masses, through which the inky stream below became visible, flowing like the river of death along the dwellings of men.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading It gathered round the street-lanterns, which looked like dull red balls, and gave no light a yard off.
