adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
absencenounUS /ˈæbsəns/
the state of being absent
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
BLACKadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading THE BLACK BROTH.
bleating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/
lacking funds
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
BROTHnounUS /brɔːθ/
liquid in which meat and vegetables are simmered; used as a basis for e.g. soups or sauces
From this reading THE BLACK BROTH.
childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
cownounUS /kaʊ/
female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
crouchingverbUS /ˈkraʊtʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “crouch” — bend one's back forward from the waist on down
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
desertedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
emperor'snounUS /ˈempərərz/
possessive form of “emperor” — the male ruler of an empire
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
figurenounUS /ˈfɪɡjər/
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
fledverbUS /fled/
inflected form of “flee” — run away quickly
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
garmentsnounUS /ˈɡɑːrmənts/
plural of “garment” — an article of clothing
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
ghastlyadjectiveUS /ˈɡæstli/
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
heartnounUS /hɑːrt/
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
hournounUS /ˈaʊər/
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
hutnounUS /hʌt/
temporary military shelter
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
lifenounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
lowingverbUS /ˈloʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “low” — make a low noise, characteristic of bovines
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
NotadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
OccasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
painfullyadverbUS /ˈpeɪnfəli/
unpleasantly
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
quarternounUS /ˈkwɔːrtər/
one of four equal parts
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
reasonnounUS /ˈriːzən/
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
ruraladjectiveUS /ˈrʊrəl/
living in or characteristic of farming or country life
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
sheepnounUS /ʃiːp/
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
starvingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrvɪŋ/
suffering from lack of food
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
tatteredadjectiveUS /ˈtætərd/
worn to shreds; or wearing torn or ragged clothing
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not the lowing of a cow nor the bleating of a sheep, not one familiar rural sound broke the mournful stillness that brooded over the air.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BLACK BROTH.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading In a quarter of an hour they had reached the village.
walkedverbUS /wɔːkt/
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The same absence of all life struck painfully upon the emperor's heart as they walked along the deserted streets and heard nothing save the echo of their own footsteps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
wherein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
wifenounUS /waɪf/
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Occasionally a ghastly figure in tattered garments, from whose vacant eyes the light of reason seemed to have fled, was seen crouching at the door of a hut, wherein his wife and children were starving.
