used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
AloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
Baca's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
BennettnounUS /ˈbenət/
United States aviator who (with Richard E. Byrd) piloted the first flight over the North Pole (1890-1928)
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
boringadjectiveUS /ˈbɔːrɪŋ/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
dimlyadverbUS /ˈdɪmli/
in a dim indistinct manner
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
distancesnounUS /ˈdɪstənsəz/
plural of “distance” — the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
drenchedadjectiveUS /drentʃt/
abundantly covered or supplied with; often used in combination
From this reading The rain drenched in long shudders.
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
glowedverbUS /ɡloʊd/
past form of “glow” — emit a steady even light without flames
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
gushverbUS /ɡʌʃ/
gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
gutternounUS /ˈɡʌtər/
a channel along the eaves or on the roof; collects and carries away rainwater
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
high-posted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rain drenched in long shudders.
ineffectualadjectiveUS /ˌɪnəˈfektʃuːəl/
not producing an intended effect
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
set afire or burning
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The rain drenched in long shudders.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
panenounUS /peɪn/
sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
portières
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
puddleverbUS /ˈpʌdəl/
wade or dabble in a puddle
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rain drenched in long shudders.
raincoatnounUS /ˈreɪnkoʊt/
a water-resistant coat
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
shoulderedadjectiveUS /ˈʃoʊldərd/
having shoulders or shoulders as specified; usually used as a combining form
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
shuddersnounUS /ˈʃʌdərz/
plural of “shudder” — an almost pleasurable sensation of fright
From this reading The rain drenched in long shudders.
slantverbUS /slænt/
lie obliquely
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
a request to be present
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rain drenched in long shudders.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
unequaladjectiveUS /əˈniːkwəl/
poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
From this reading Here and there a late lamp blurred dimly at a pane; high-posted street lamps, at unequal and ineffectual distances, glowed red through the slant lines of rain, reflected faintly from puddle and gutter at their feet.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The master of the house helped him from his raincoat and ushered him through crimson portières into a warm and lighted room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Alone, bent, boring into the storm, Martin Bennett shouldered his way to Baca’s door under the rushing night.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading A gush of yellow struck across the dark--the door opened at his first summons; he was waited for.
