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Gabriel Conroy
Gabriel Conroy

Chapter XII

Cover illustration for Gabriel Conroy
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.
The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.
It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.
The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.
The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Gabriel Conroy

Chapter XII

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.
Line 2
The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.
Line 3
It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.
Line 4
The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.
Line 5
The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.”

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.”

All words in this reading · 100

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

accident

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

almost

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

always

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

apparently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

appeared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

begun

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

built

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

certain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

changed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

CLOUD

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

completely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

design

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

dirty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

disregard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

doubt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

dwellings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

general

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

grade

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

grave

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

hazard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

houses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

ill-lighted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

impassable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

impression

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

inaccessible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

intent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

intention

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

invariably

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

irregular

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

isolate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

ladders

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

large

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

monotonous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

muddy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

near

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

noble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

obstacles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

oddly-built

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

original

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

others

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

overcome

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

parallels

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

places

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

plunged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

precipitous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

produce

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

Ramirez

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

regularity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

render

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

result

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

rocky

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

sandy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

scaling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

sight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

street

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

thoroughfare

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

times

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

top

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

treated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

utterly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The near result of this large intent was to isolate some houses completely, to render others utterly inaccessible except by scaling ladders, and to produce the general impression that they were begun at the top and built down.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was dirty, it was muddy, it was ill-lighted; it was rocky and precipitous in some places, and sandy and monotonous in others.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The street into which Ramirez plunged at first sight appeared almost impassable, and but for a certain regularity in the parallels of irregular, oddly-built houses, its original intention as a thoroughfare might have been open to grave doubt.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.

WITNESSES

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

worse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The grade had been changed two or three times, and each time apparently for the worse, but always with a noble disregard for the dwellings, which were invariably treated as an accident in the original design, or as obstacles to be overcome at any hazard.