used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
at or in the front
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
(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 For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
any thing at all
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
a line of approach
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
blocksnounUS /blɑːks/
plural of “block” — a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
bobbingverbUS /ˈbɑːbɪŋ/
inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
a young person of either sex
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
dirtieradjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrtiər/
comparative of “dirty” — soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
Dulcie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
resolutelyadverbUS /ˈresəluːtli/
showing firm determination or purpose
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But, though anything but comfortable himself, Paul shook his head resolutely.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
trottedverbUS /ˈtrɑːtɪd/
inflected form of “trot” — run at a moderately swift pace
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For the first few blocks, all went well, but as the neighborhood grew more squalid, the streets dirtier and more crowded, their hearts began to fail.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
which person or people
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading THE HOUSE ON AVENUE A They were obliged to walk fast, in order to keep pace with “the stolen child,” who trotted on ahead, her little yellow head bobbing up and down in her excitement.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading “I didn’t know there were such dirty streets in New York,” whispered Dulcie.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Don’t you really think we’d better turn back?”
