used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
a line of approach
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
clangingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋɪŋ/
having a loud resonant metallic sound
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
downpournounUS /ˈdaʊnpɔːr/
a heavy rain
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
glistenedverbUS /ˈɡlɪsənd/
past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
the act of retaining something
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
imposingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
impressive in appearance
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
jostlingnounUS /ˈdʒɑːsəlɪŋ/
the act of jostling (forcing your way by pushing)
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
the act of departing
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
PortagenounUS /ˈpɔːrtədʒ/
the cost of carrying or transporting
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
prairienounUS /ˈpreri/
a treeless grassy plain
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
on the contrary
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
roadwaynounUS /ˈroʊdweɪ/
a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
rumbledverbUS /ˈrʌmbəld/
past form of “rumble” — make a low noise
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
SablenounUS /ˈseɪbəl/
an artist's brush made of sable hairs
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
occurring or distributed over widely spaced and irregular intervals in time or space
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
sidewalksnounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːks/
plural of “sidewalk” — walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
slackenedverbUS /ˈslækənd/
past form of “slacken” — become slow or slower
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
splashingnounUS /ˈsplæʃɪŋ/
the act of splashing a (liquid) substance on a surface
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
street-cars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The crowd seemed bent on holding its ground, but there was not much jostling, and its general air was one of stern interest rather than excitement.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading The downpour had now slackened to a scattered splashing of big, warm drops, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At one place, the imposing avenue was blocked by a crowd through which the street-cars crept slowly with clanging bells.
WhitneynounUS /ˈwɪtni/
United States inventor of the mechanical cotton gin (1765-1825)
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
WinnipegnounUS /ˈwɪnɪpəɡ/
the capital and largest city of Manitoba; located in southern Manitoba; known for severe winters
From this reading A PAINFUL MEMORY A week after leaving Sable Lake, Andrew and Whitney stood one night on Portage Avenue, Winnipeg.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The air was hot and oppressive, as it often is in the prairie city during late summer, and smooth sidewalks and roadway, wet with heavy rain, glistened like ice in the lamplight.
