adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
ant-hill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
baynounUS /beɪ/
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
boatnounUS /boʊt/
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
breadnounUS /bred/
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
caughtverbUS /kɑːt/
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
CircularadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrkjələr/
having the shape or form of a circle
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
climbedverbUS /klaɪmd/
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
criesnounUS /kraɪz/
plural of “cry” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
crossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/
traveling across
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
curvenounUS /kɜːrv/
the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
CustomsnounUS /ˈkʌstəmz/
money collected under a tariff
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
emptiedverbUS /ˈemptid/
inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
eyenounUS /aɪ/
the organ of sight
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
ferriesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “ferry” — a boat that transports people or vehicles across a body of water and operates on a regular schedule
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
harassedadjectiveUS /hərˈæst/
troubled persistently especially with petty annoyances
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
hemmedverbUS /hemd/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
hootnounUS /huːt/
a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
hurriedadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːrid/
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
jetties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
linesnounUS /laɪnz/
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
loadedadjectiveUS /ˈloʊdɪd/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
mainadjectiveUS /meɪn/
most important element
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
mooredverbUS /mʊrd/
past form of “moor” — secure in or as if in a berth or dock
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
movingadjectiveUS /ˈmuːvɪŋ/
in motion
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
multitudinousadjective
too numerous to be counted
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
PANverbUS /pæn/
make a sweeping movement
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
parallelnounUS /ˈperəlel/
something having the property of being analogous to something else
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
passengersnounUS /ˈpæsəndʒərz/
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 A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
Phillip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
picturenounUS /ˈpɪktʃər/
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
PIPESnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
QuaynounUS /kiː/
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
roadwaynounUS /ˈroʊdweɪ/
a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
roundnounUS /raʊnd/
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
shapedadjectiveUS /ʃeɪpt/
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
shrilladjectiveUS /ʃrɪl/
having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
slicenounUS /slaɪs/
a share of something
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
steamersnounUS /ˈstiːmərz/
plural of “steamer” — a clam that is usually steamed in the shell
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
StreetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
stringnounUS /strɪŋ/
a lightweight cord
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
suburbsnounUS /ˈsʌbərbz/
plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
suddenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌdən/
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
swungverbUS /swʌŋ/
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PIPES OF PAN Circular Quay, shaped like a bite in a slice of bread, caught the eye like a moving picture.
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A string of electric cars slid past the jetties in parallel lines or climbed the sharp curve to Phillip Street; and every minute cars, loaded with passengers from the dusty suburbs, swung round the corners of the main streets and stopped in front of the ferries.
turnstilesnounUS /ˈtɜːrnstaɪlz/
plural of “turnstile” — a gate consisting of a post that acts as a pivot for rotating arms; set in a passageway for controlling the persons entering
From this reading And as the cars stopped, the human cargo emptied itself into the roadway and hurried to the turnstiles, harassed by the thought of missing the next boat.
unloadingnounUS /ənˈloʊdɪŋ/
the labor of taking a load of something off of or out of a vehicle or ship or container etc.
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
watersidenoun
land bordering a body of water
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
winches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From the waterside, where the great mail steamers lay moored along the Quay, came the sudden rattle of winches, the cries of men unloading cargo, and the shrill hoot of small steamers crossing the bay.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
woolnounUS /wʊl/
a fabric made from the hair of sheep
From this reading The narrow strip of roadway, hemmed in between the Customs House and the huge wool stores, was alive with the multitudinous activity of an ant-hill.
