used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
attemptsnounUS /əˈtempts/
plural of “attempt” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
broodverbUS /bruːd/
think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
ceaselesslyadverbUS /ˈsiːzləsli/
with unflagging resolve
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
coveringsnounUS /ˈkʌvərɪŋz/
plural of “covering” — a natural object that covers or envelops
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
descryverbUS /deˈskraɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
despondentlyadverb
with desperation
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
drippedverbUS /drɪpt/
inflected form of “drip” — fall in drops
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
express-train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
flatsnounUS /flæts/
footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.
futileadjectiveUS /ˈfjuːtəl/
producing no result or effect
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
glaredverbUS /ɡlerd/
past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
death of a person
From this reading RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
headlongadverbUS /ˈhedlɔːŋ/
with the head foremost
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
joylessadjective
not experiencing or inspiring joy
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
LincolnshirenounUS /ˈlɪŋkənʃɪr/
an agricultural county of eastern England on the North Sea
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
loweringadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərɪŋ/
darkened by clouds
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
menaceverbUS /ˈmenəs/
pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
meteornounUS /ˈmiːtiər/
(astronomy) any of the small solid extraterrestrial bodies that hits the earth's atmosphere
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
plural of “passenger” — a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
ponderousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərəs/
slow and laborious because of weight
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
the possibility of future success
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
RISENadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
rugsnounUS /rʌɡz/
plural of “rug” — floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
savagelyadverbUS /ˈsævɪdʒli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
the act of searching for something
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
shrieknounUS /ʃriːk/
sharp piercing cry
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
shudderedverbUS /ˈʃʌdərd/
past form of “shudder” — shake, as from cold
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
Sulkyadjective
sullen or moody
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RISEN FROM THE GRAVE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
travelsnounUS /ˈtrævəlz/
plural of “travel” — the act of going from one place to another
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The express-train, rushing headlong across the wet flats of Lincolnshire, glared like a meteor in the gray fog; the dismal shriek of the engine was like the cry of a bird of prey.
which person or people
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
winter'snounUS /ˈwɪntərz/
possessive form of “winter” — the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The few passengers who had chosen that dreary winter's day for their travels looked despondently out at the monotonous prospect, seeking in vain to descry some spot of hope in the joyless prospect; or made futile attempts to read their newspapers by the dim light of the lamp in the roof of the carriage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
woollennounUS /ˈwʊlən/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The rain dripped ceaselessly upon the dreary earth under a grey November sky,--a dull and lowering sky, that seemed to brood over this lower world with some menace of coming down to blot out and destroy it.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading Sulky passengers shuddered savagely as they wrapped themselves in huge woollen rugs or ponderous coverings made from the skins of wild beasts.
