used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
aislesnounUS /aɪlz/
plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
ameliorateverbUS /əˈmiːljəreɪt/
to make better
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
an occurrence of something
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
congregationnounUS /ˌkɑːŋɡrəˈɡeɪʃən/
a group of people who adhere to a common faith and habitually attend a given church
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
depressing-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
and nothing more
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
MarvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
suffocationnounUS /ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃən/
killing by depriving of oxygen
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading A hopeless, sullen misery sat on every brow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
throngedadjectiveUS /θrɔːŋd/
filled with great numbers crowded together
From this reading It was a sombre and depressing-looking crowd that thronged the aisles of the little building.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Poverty and want were in every face.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
at the time that
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
which person or people
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading In this state of the case John Marvel, wishing to see what could be done to ameliorate the conditions about him, called a meeting of his congregation at his church one evening just before Christmas, and when the time came the little chapel was crowded to suffocation.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The people thought that somehow some good would come of it, and many who had never been inside the walls before were on hand.
