used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
alternatedverbUS /ˈɔːltərneɪtɪd/
past form of “alternate” — go back and forth; swing back and forth between two states or conditions
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Here are my visitors,” said Phil, suddenly.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
barrel-organ
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
brushesnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪz/
plural of “brush” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
Caracalnoun
of deserts of northern Africa and southern Asia
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
FATA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
fifenounUS /faɪf/
a small high-pitched flute similar to a piccolo; has a shrill tone and is used chiefly to accompany drums in a marching band
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/
material resulting from the process of grinding
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “Here are my visitors,” said Phil, suddenly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
MORGANA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “Here are my visitors,” said Phil, suddenly.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
old-clo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
plumbernounUS /ˈplʌmər/
a craftsman who installs and repairs pipes and fixtures and appliances
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Here are my visitors,” said Phil, suddenly.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
sofanounUS /ˈsoʊfə/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading “Here are my visitors,” said Phil, suddenly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FATA MORGANA Phil prepared his colors.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
trombonenounUS /trɑːmˈboʊn/
a brass instrument consisting of a long tube whose length can be varied by a U-shaped slide
From this reading Outside, the cries of the plumber and old-clo’ man alternated, like a trombone after a fife; and a barrel-organ was grinding below on the sidewalk.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading “Here are my visitors,” said Phil, suddenly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Phil, brushes in hand, spoke now and then a word with Caracal, lying on the sofa.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The ball was forgotten, and the Indian costume was laid away for another year.
