Chapter XVI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

full of energetic and noisy activity

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

past form of “console” — give moral or emotional strength to

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

-ing form of “declare” — state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

spreading widely or driving off

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IN THE DOG-DAYS.

United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

with eagerness; in an eager manner

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

divisible by two

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

a social unit living together

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

coins made of gold

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading IN THE DOG-DAYS.

a quantity that is added

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

full of life and energy

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the capital and largest city situated centrally in Spain; home of an outstanding art museum

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

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 Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

-ing form of “own” — have ownership or possession of

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

the time that has elapsed

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

plural of “praise” — an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

plural of “promenade” — a formal ball held for a school class toward the end of the academic year

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

cause to move by pulling

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

a strong line

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading The season of exodus and dispersion had arrived.

the act of searching for something

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

plural of “share” — assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

a state of social isolation

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

of high or superior quality or performance

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading IN THE DOG-DAYS.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

bound or secured closely

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Madrid was swarming and bustling like an ant-hill, every one exhausted by the heat and eagerly seeking money.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The price of gold went up as though war were impending, and transactions in small shares were as lively as though there were some real increase of business.

during the time that

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.

but in spite of that

From this reading Many a family drew the rope that the extravagances of the past winter had tied round its neck, yet a little tighter; while others, not owning even a rope to pull, consoled themselves by singing the praises of the Madrid Summer, and declaring the charms of its promenades and its beautiful nights to be far superior to the solitude and dulness of the country.