used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
ashenadjectiveUS /ˈæʃən/
anemic looking from illness or emotion
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
backgroundnounUS /ˈbækɡraʊnd/
a person's social heritage: previous experience or training
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
bon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
brighteningverbUS /ˈbraɪtənɪŋ/
-ing form of “brighten” — make more cheerful through the use of color
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
the act of burning something
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
chilledverbUS /tʃɪld/
past form of “chill” — depress or discourage
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
dianounUS /ˈdiːə/
an intelligence agency of the United States in the Department of Defense; is responsible for providing intelligence in support of military planning and operations and weapons acquisition
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
flickeringadjectiveUS /ˈflɪkərɪŋ/
shining unsteadily
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
hoodedverbUS /ˈhʊdɪd/
past form of “hood” — cover with a hood
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
housetops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
and nothing more
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
lanternsnounUS /ˈlæntərnz/
plural of “lantern” — light in a transparent protective case
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
the act of departing
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
mirroredadjectiveUS /ˈmɪrərd/
like or characteristic of a mirror image
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
pairsnounUS /perz/
plural of “pair” — a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
policemennounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
puddlesnounUS /ˈpʌdəlz/
plural of “puddle” — a mixture of wet clay and sand that can be used to line a pond and that is impervious to water when dry
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
an angry dispute
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
stampingverbUS /ˈstæmpɪŋ/
-ing form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
be standing; be upright
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
stationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
not in physical motion
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
stillnessnounUS /ˈstɪlnəs/
(poetic) tranquil silence
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
street-crossings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
suburbsnounUS /ˈsʌbərbz/
plural of “suburb” — a residential district located on the outskirts of a city
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
unevenadjectiveUS /əˈniːvən/
not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
unhooking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
ValencianounUS /vəˈlensiə/
an industrial city in northern Venezuela
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
watch-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At five o'clock the street lamps of Valencia were still burning, their flickering lights mirrored red as blood in the puddles of the uneven pavement.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading Faint from the distance through the stillness came the whistling of the morning trains leaving the suburbs.
which person or people
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The irregular line of housetops was just beginning to stand out against an ashen background of sky brightening with the first glow of morning.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading TWO WOMEN QUARREL It had stopped raining about daybreak.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The night watch-men were unhooking their lanterns from their stations at the street-crossings and walking off, stamping their chilled feet after wishing a listless _bon dia_ to the pairs of hooded policemen who would not be relieved until seven o'clock.
