used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Their expressions underwent a change.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
businesslikeadjectiveUS /ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/
exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Their expressions underwent a change.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
commissionersnounUS /kəˈmɪʃənərz/
plural of “commissioner” — a government administrator
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading A pensiveness crept into their heavy faces.
cuspidors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
delegatesnounUS /ˈdeləɡeɪts/
plural of “delegate” — a person appointed or elected to represent others
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
expressionsnounUS /ɪkˈspreʃənz/
plural of “expression” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Their expressions underwent a change.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A pensiveness crept into their heavy faces.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A pensiveness crept into their heavy faces.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A pensiveness crept into their heavy faces.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
millionsnounUS /ˈmɪljənz/
plural of “million” — the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
padsnounUS /pædz/
plural of “pad” — a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
pencilsnounUS /ˈpensəlz/
plural of “pencil” — a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
pensivenessnounUS /ˈpensɪvnes/
persistent morbid meditation on a problem
From this reading A pensiveness crept into their heavy faces.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
separated in relationship by a given degree of descent
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
sharpenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːrpənd/
having the point made sharp
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
not in physical motion
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
thunderbolts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
underwentverbUS /ˌʌndərˈwent/
inflected form of “undergo” — pass through
From this reading Their expressions underwent a change.
untouchedadjectiveUS /ənˈtʌtʃt/
still full
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
wastepaper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
belonging to which person
From this reading And some millions of people whose delegates were staring at them were waiting excitedly for it to be removed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But now with the pads of paper, the sharpened pencils, the businesslike cuspidors at their feet, the ominous wastepaper baskets under their hands, the commissioners faced the ghastly fact that the blot was still on the face of civilization, untouched by their thunderbolts.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It occurred as if for the first time to the commissioners that something would have to be done about it.
