Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

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

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

lacking sufficient water or rainfall

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

a particular environment or surrounding influence

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

ruined by overcooking

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

put or send forth

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

without stop or interruption

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

calm and unruffled self-assurance

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

superlative of “dark” — devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

plural of “dew” — water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

divisible by two

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

bringing death

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

comparative of “fierce” — marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading WHICH WAS THE FIERCER FIRE?

start firing a weapon

From this reading WHICH WAS THE FIERCER FIRE?

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

shoot down, of birds

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

comparative of “hot” — used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

make moist

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

not any; not one

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the middle of the day

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

United States civil rights leader who refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man in Montgomery (Alabama) and so triggered the national Civil Rights movement (born in 1913)

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

a serious (sometimes fatal) infection of rodents caused by Yersinia pestis and accidentally transmitted to humans by the bite of a flea that has bitten an infected animal

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

cause to suffer a blight

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

plural of “prophecy” — knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

inflected form of “prophesy” — predict or reveal through, or as if through, divine inspiration

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

snacks and drinks served as a light meal

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the month following August and preceding October

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

unhealthy looking

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

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

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

sexually exciting or gratifying

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Morning was sultry as noon; evening brought but little refreshment; while the night was hotter than the day.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading WHICH WAS THE FIERCER FIRE?

in or at that place or location

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Was not this the fatal year about which there had been darkest prophecies?

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

precisely as stated

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

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

From this reading WHICH WAS THE FIERCER FIRE?

the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading WHICH WAS THE FIERCER FIRE?

during the time that

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was Saturday, the first of September, and the hot dry weather having continued with but trifling changes throughout the month, the atmosphere was at its sultriest, and the burnt grass in the parks looked as if even the dews of morning and evening had ceased to moisten it, while the arid and dusty foliage gave no feeling of coolness, and the very shadows cast upon that parched ground seemed hot.

(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading People complained that the season was even more sickly than in the plague year, and prophesied a new and worse outbreak of the pestilence.