used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
chalk-faces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
something that interests you because it is important or affects you
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
disordernounUS /dɪˈsɔːrdər/
a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
disturbancesnounUS /dɪˈstɜːrbənsəz/
plural of “disturbance” — activity that is a malfunction, intrusion, or interruption
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
InsurrectionnounUS /ˌɪnsərˈekʃən/
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
involveverbUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlv/
connect closely and often incriminatingly
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
knotsnounUS /nɑːts/
plural of “knot” — a tight cluster of people or things
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
massesnounUS /ˈmæsəz/
the common people generally
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
on one occasion
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
outbreaknounUS /ˈaʊtbreɪk/
a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
principlenounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəl/
a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
scootscoots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
strikersnounUS /ˈstraɪkərz/
plural of “striker” — a forward on a soccer team
From this reading On the former occasion, they had been fighting for a principle, and public opinion had been with the strikers; but the present outbreak did not seem to involve any principle at all.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
testimonynounUS /ˈtestəmoʊni/
a solemn statement made under oath
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
thoroughfaresnounUS /ˈθɜːroʊferz/
plural of “thoroughfare” — a public road from one place to another
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
uglieradjectiveUS /ˈʌɡliər/
comparative of “ugly” — displeasing to the senses
From this reading But now the temper of the masses was much uglier than before.
under normal conditions
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
ventilationnounUS /ˌventəˈleɪʃən/
the act of supplying fresh air and getting rid of foul air
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
wakesnounUS /weɪks/
plural of “wake” — the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Insurrection in the Air Two "wakes" had gone by without ventilation.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading Once more business had come to a standstill; once more the thoroughfares, usually crowded, were almost deserted by the "scootscoots"; once more the chalk-faces stood about in little knots, anxiously talking, their drawn features and worried eyes bearing testimony to the concern they felt.
WunounUS /wuː/
a dialect of Chinese spoken in the Yangtze delta
From this reading The land of Wu was in a state of profound disorder--disorder compared with which the disturbances of the previous strike were as nothing.
