used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE MARQUESA GOES TO A CONCERT.
quickly and without warning
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
agriculturaladjectiveUS /ˌæɡrəˈkʌltʃərəl/
relating to or used in or promoting agriculture or farming
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
buildersnounUS /ˈbɪldərz/
plural of “builder” — a substance added to soaps or detergents to increase their cleansing action
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
assets available for use in the production of further assets
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
caravannounUS /ˈkærəvæn/
a procession (of wagons or mules or camels) traveling together in single file
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
CONCERTnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading THE MARQUESA GOES TO A CONCERT.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
diesnounUS /daɪz/
plural of “die” — a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
dustyadjectiveUS /ˈdʌsti/
covered with a layer of dust
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
dwellingsnounUS /ˈdwelɪŋz/
plural of “dwelling” — housing that someone is living in
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
encampmentnounUS /ɪnˈkæmpmɪnt/
a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
enclosedadjectiveUS /enˈkloʊzd/
closed in or surrounded or included within
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
plural of “end” — either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
at any time
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading THE MARQUESA GOES TO A CONCERT.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
set down according to a plan
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
Leon'snounUS /ˈliːɑːnz/
possessive form of “leon” — a historical area and former kingdom in northwestern Spain
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
MadridnounUS /məˈdrɪd/
the capital and largest city situated centrally in Spain; home of an outstanding art museum
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
march in a procession
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
MARQUESA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MARQUESA GOES TO A CONCERT.
medleynounUS /ˈmedli/
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
meltverbUS /melt/
reduce or cause to be reduced from a solid to a liquid state, usually by heating
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
night'snounUS /naɪts/
possessive form of “night” — the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
north-eastadverbUS /ˌnɔːrˈθiːst/
to, toward, or in the northeast
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
overlookingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərlʊkɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
pursueverbUS /pərˈsuː/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
remindsverbUS /riˈmaɪndz/
third-person singular of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
straggleverbUS /ˈstræɡəl/
wander from a direct or straight course
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
surroundsnounUS /sərˈaʊndz/
plural of “surround” — the area in which something exists or lives
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MARQUESA GOES TO A CONCERT.
thievesnounUS /θiːvz/
plural of “thief” — a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading The medley of dwellings ends abruptly; not a house has dared to part company and step forth, for fear of heat, of cold, and of thieves.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE MARQUESA GOES TO A CONCERT.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
urbanadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrbən/
relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
verdurous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Leon’s house was to the north-east of Madrid, on one side overlooking the town with its pretty, bright houses and verdurous gardens, and on the other, miles of dusty waste.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It reminds us of a vast caravan settled down for a night’s rest and which will be raised in the morning to pursue its march without ever looking back at the place of its encampment.
zonenounUS /zoʊn/
a locally circumscribed place characterized by some distinctive features
From this reading The capital of Spain lies within strict limits, as laid down by its builders; it does not straggle and melt away into the country and is not enclosed in that half agricultural, half urban zone which surrounds many cities and through which the bustle of the streets imperceptibly dies away into the silence of the fields.
