used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF “The Cheyne Mystery,” etc.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
a period of 100 years
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
Cheyne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “The Cheyne Mystery,” etc.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
civilisationnoun
the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
discouragementnounUS /dɪˈskɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
drabadjectiveUS /dræb/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
etc
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF “The Cheyne Mystery,” etc.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
exposurenounUS /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/
vulnerability to the elements; to the action of heat or cold or wind or rain
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
flankedverbUS /flæŋkt/
past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
fogsnounUS /fɔːɡz/
plural of “fog” — droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
frontsnounUS /frʌnts/
plural of “front” — the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
grimyadjectiveUS /ˈɡraɪmi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
only a very short time before
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
Hatton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
inspiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪrɪŋ/
stimulating or exalting to the spirit
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
provided with artificial light
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
mid-Novembernoun
the middle part of November
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
become covered with mist
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading AUTHOR OF “The Cheyne Mystery,” etc.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF “The Cheyne Mystery,” etc.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
and nothing more
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
outlooknounUS /ˈaʊtlʊk/
a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
paintverbUS /peɪnt/
make a painting
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
pallidlyadverb
in a manner lacking interest or vitality
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
the possibility of future success
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
shutteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌtərd/
provided with shutters or shutters as specified; often used in combination
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
sordid-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
the rays of the sun
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
surroundingadjectiveUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋ/
closely encircling
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF “The Cheyne Mystery,” etc.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading THE back streets surrounding Hatton Garden, in the City of London, do not form at the best of times a cheerful or inspiring prospect.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
twentiethnounUS /ˈtwentiəθ/
position 20 in a countable series of things
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
displeasing to the senses
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
upliftverbUS /ˈʌplɪft/
fill with high spirits; fill with optimism
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
vastlyadverbUS /ˈvæstli/
to an exceedingly great extent or degree
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But if on a day of cheerful sunshine the outlook is thus melancholy, it was vastly more so at ten o’clock on a certain dreary evening in mid-November.
wateryadjectiveUS /ˈwɔːtəri/
filled with water
From this reading A watery moon, only partially visible through a damp mist, lit up pallidly the squalid, shuttered fronts of the houses.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Narrow and mean, and flanked with ugly, sordid-looking buildings grimy from exposure to the smoke and fogs of the town and drab from the want of fresh paint, they can hardly fail to strike discouragement into the heart of any one eager for the uplift of our twentieth century civilisation.
