AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
AvenuenounUS /ˈævənuː/
a line of approach
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
blessedadjectiveUS /blest/
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
causedverbUS /kɑːzd/
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
chancenounUS /tʃæns/
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
cloudsnounUS /klaʊdz/
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
cornicenoun
a decorative framework to conceal curtain fixtures at the top of a window casing
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
CrawlingnounUS /ˈkrɔːlɪŋ/
a slow mode of locomotion on hands and knees or dragging the body
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
dangernounUS /ˈdeɪndʒər/
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
defectiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈfektɪv/
having a defect
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
dimmingverbUS /ˈdɪmɪŋ/
inflected form of “dim” — switch (a car's headlights) from a higher to a lower beam
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
FaradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
fuseverbUS /fjuːz/
mix together different elements
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
HeavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
higheradjectiveUS /ˈhaɪər/
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
HURRYnounUS /ˈhɜːri/
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
intensifiedadjectiveUS /ɪnˈtensəfaɪd/
made more intense
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
kneesnounUS /niːz/
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
lightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
lyingnounUS /ˈlaɪɪŋ/
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
MANnounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
meageradjectiveUS /ˈmiːɡər/
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
offeredverbUS /ˈɔːfərd/
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
PennsylvanianounUS /ˌpensəlˈveɪnjə/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
providedverbUS /prəˈvaɪdɪd/
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
roofnounUS /ruːf/
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
scannedverbUS /skænd/
inflected form of “scan” — examine minutely or intensely
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
shelternounUS /ˈʃeltər/
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
southwestnounUS /ˌsaʊˈθwest/
the compass point midway between south and west; at 225 degrees
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
starnounUS /stɑːr/
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
vicinitynounUS /vəˈsɪnəti/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MAN IN A HURRY Heavy clouds hung low and not a star was visible.
WashingtonnounUS /ˈwɑːʃɪŋtən/
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading The darkness was intensified by the gleam of distant city lights, for in that section of Washington lying to the southwest of Pennsylvania Avenue a defective fuse had caused the dimming of every electric light in the vicinity.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Crawling on hands and knees, he cautiously made his way to the edges of the roof, on which he had dropped from the higher building next door, and looked down.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Far up on one of the roofs a man, crouching behind the meager shelter offered by a chimney, blessed the chance which fortune provided.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading His eyes straining in the darkness, every sense alert to danger, he scanned intently each window ledge and cornice.
