used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
bricksnounUS /brɪks/
plural of “brick” — rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
brightenedverbUS /ˈbraɪtənd/
past form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
creakingnounUS /ˈkriːkɪŋ/
a squeaking sound
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
donkeysnounUS /ˈdɑːŋkiz/
plural of “donkey” — the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
elbowedverbUS /ˈelboʊd/
past form of “elbow” — push one's way with the elbows
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
brought together in one place
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
a man of refinement
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
Jessica
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
and nothing more
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
loftnounUS /lɔːft/
floor consisting of a large unpartitioned space over a factory or warehouse or other commercial space
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
minister'snounUS /ˈmɪnɪstərz/
possessive form of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
ragsnounUS /ræɡz/
plural of “rag” — a small piece of cloth or paper
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/
plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
rustyadjectiveUS /ˈrʌsti/
covered with or consisting of rust
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
cut with a saw
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
stableadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪbəl/
resistant to change of position or condition
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
stuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
tilesnounUS /taɪlz/
plural of “tile” — a flat thin rectangular slab (as of fired clay or rubber or linoleum) used to cover surfaces
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
someone who visits
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She elbowed her way through the midst of them, and the minister’s face brightened as she presented herself before him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
at the time that
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
in or at the place that
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Near to the old rusty stove, which served as a grate when there was any fire, there was a short board laid across some bricks, and upon this the minister took his seat, while Jessica sat upon the floor before him.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When Jessica came to the street into which the court where she lived opened, she saw an unusual degree of excitement among the inhabitants, a group of whom were gathered about a tall gentleman whom she recognized in an instant to be the minister.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He followed her up the low entry, across the squalid court, through the stable, empty of the donkeys just then, up the creaking rounds of the ladder, and into the miserable loft where the tiles were falling in and the broken window-panes were stuffed with rags and paper.
