used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
backwoodsnounUS /ˈbæˈkwʊdz/
a remote and undeveloped area
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
breakfasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
Citywards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
a state at a particular time
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
elasticadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæstɪk/
capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
being one more than ten
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
a quick look
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
half-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
hasteningverbUS /ˈheɪsənɪŋ/
-ing form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
heavily-laden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
intervalnounUS /ˈɪntərvəl/
a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
Lacour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
morningsnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋz/
plural of “morning” — the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
not any; not one
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
many times at short intervals
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
omnibusesnounUS /ˈɑːmnəbəsəz/
plural of “omnibus” — an anthology of articles on a related subject or an anthology of the works of a single author
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
primaryadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪmeri/
of first rank or importance or value; direct and immediate rather than secondary
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
do one's shopping
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
the activity of providing for or maintaining by supplying with money or necessities
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
in or at that place or location
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
toiletnounUS /ˈtɔɪlət/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
tolerableadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːlərəbəl/
capable of being borne or endured
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
precisely as stated
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
Vincent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Vincent Lacour rose at eleven these dark mornings; by half-past twelve he had breakfasted and was at leisure.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
which person or people
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To begin the day with an elastic interval of leisure seemed to him a primary condition of tolerable existence.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading If it comes to the worst, there are always the backwoods.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “Under no circumstances whatever,” he often said to himself with conviction, “would I support life in that way.
wretches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his bedroom windows he had a glimpse of a very busy street, along which, as he hummed at his toilet, he could see heavily-laden omnibuses hastening Citywards; he thought with contemptuous pity of the poor wretches who had to present themselves at bank, or office, or shop by a certain hour.
