adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
architecturenounUS /ˈɑːrkətektʃər/
an architectural product or work
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
attemptnounUS /əˈtempt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
attentionnounUS /əˈtenʃən/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
barrel-organs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
buildingnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋ/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
CathedralnounUS /kəˈθiːdrəl/
any large and important church
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
citynounUS /ˈsɪti/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
clackverbUS /klæk/
make a rattling sound
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
clangingadjectiveUS /ˈklæŋɪŋ/
having a loud resonant metallic sound
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
CloseadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
compoundedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpaʊndəd/
combined into or constituting a chemical compound
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
dampadjectiveUS /dæmp/
slightly wet
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
depictedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpɪktəd/
represented graphically by sketch or design or lines
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
desertedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
disturbingadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɜːrbɪŋ/
causing distress or worry or anxiety
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
earnounUS /iːr/
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
edificenounUS /ˈedəfəs/
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
endeavouring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
enteredverbUS /ˈentərd/
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
flungverbUS /flʌŋ/
inflected form of “fling” — throw with force or recklessness
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
gainverbUS /ɡeɪn/
obtain
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
glimpsenounUS /ɡlɪmps/
a quick look
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
gongsnounUS /ɡɔːŋz/
plural of “gong” — a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
hand-bells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
hereafteradverbUS /hɪˈræftər/
in a subsequent part of this document or statement or matter etc.
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
homogeneousadjectiveUS /ˌhoʊməˈdʒiːniəs/
all of the same or similar kind or nature
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
knowledgenounUS /ˈnɑːlədʒ/
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
levelnounUS /ˈlevəl/
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
livesnounUS /lɪvz/
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
mediæval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
Melchester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
morrownounUS /ˈmɑːroʊ/
the next day
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
noisenounUS /nɔɪz/
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
OctobernounUS /ɑːkˈtoʊbər/
the month following September and preceding November
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
partnounUS /pɑːrt/
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
pilenounUS /paɪl/
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/
(of games) engaged in
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
postponedverbUS /poʊstˈpoʊnd/
past form of “postpone” — hold back to a later time
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
presencenounUS /ˈprezəns/
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
ratheradverbUS /ˈræðər/
on the contrary
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
rattlesnounUS /ˈrætəlz/
plural of “rattle” — a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
reflectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪd/
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
revealedverbUS /rɪˈviːld/
past form of “reveal” — make visible
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
roarverbUS /rɔːr/
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
seeverbUS /siː/
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
sharplyadverbUS /ˈʃɑːrpli/
in an aggressive manner
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
shoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
soundnounUS /saʊnd/
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
squareverbUS /skwer/
make square
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
stoodverbUS /stʊd/
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
swardnounUS /swɔːrd/
surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
taperedadjectiveUS /ˈteɪpərd/
becoming gradually narrower
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading He postponed till the morrow his attempt to examine the deserted edifice, and turned his attention to the noise.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
undistinguishableadjective
not capable of being distinguished or differentiated
From this reading It was compounded of steam barrel-organs, the clanging of gongs, the ringing of hand-bells, the clack of rattles, and the undistinguishable shouts of men.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
vainlyadverbUS /ˈveɪnli/
to no avail
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had been standing in the Close, vainly endeavouring to gain amid the darkness a glimpse of the most homogeneous pile of mediæval architecture in England, which towered and tapered from the damp and level sward in front of him.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he stood the presence of the Cathedral walls was revealed rather by the ear than by the eyes; he could not see them, but they reflected sharply a roar of sound which entered the Close by a street leading from the city square, and, falling upon the building, was flung back upon him.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The man who played the disturbing part in the two quiet lives hereafter depicted—no great man, in any sense, by the way—first had knowledge of them on an October evening, in the city of Melchester.
