used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
(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 A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
assortedadjectiveUS /əˈsɔːrtɪd/
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading His car was his laboratory.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
combinationsnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “combination” — a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
destinationsnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “destination” — the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
plural of “direction” — a line leading to a place or point
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
elopers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
eloping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
expertadjectiveUS /ˈekspərt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
the organ of sight
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
foiledadjectiveUS /fɔɪld/
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
the quality of being humane
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
laboratorynounUS /ˈlæbrətɔːri/
a workplace for the conduct of scientific research
From this reading His car was his laboratory.
a large number or amount
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
engage in
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
come together
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
MOUSEnounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
porternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
receptaclenounUS /rɪˈsep.tə.kəl/
An object or container used to hold or store something.
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
sleepernounUS /ˈsliːpər/
a rester who is sleeping
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
plural of “soul” — the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
test-tube
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The porter received each with that expert eye of his.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
tumblingnounUS /ˈtʌmbəlɪŋ/
the gymnastic moves of an acrobat
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A railroad journey is a sort of test-tube of character; strange elements meet under strange conditions and make strange combinations.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A MOUSE AND A MOUNTAIN All the while the foiled elopers were eloping, the San Francisco sleeper was filling up.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been the receptacle of assorted lots of humanity tumbling into it from all directions, with all sorts of souls, bodies, and destinations.
