used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
BabelnounUS /ˈbæbəl/
(Genesis 11:1-11) a tower built by Noah's descendants (probably in Babylon) who intended it to reach up to heaven; God foiled them by confusing their language so they could no longer understand one another
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
brain-pan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
Breathlessnessnoun
a dyspneic condition
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
cooledverbUS /kuːld/
past form of “cool” — make cool or cooler
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
being one more than seven
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
a movement into or inward
From this reading No head was raised on Freder’s entering.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
Freder's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No head was raised on Freder’s entering.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading No head was raised on Freder’s entering.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
immovablenounUS /ˌɪˈmuːvəbəl/
property consisting of houses and land
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
the force of workers available
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
MetropolisnounUS /məˈtrɑːpələs/
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
not any; not one
From this reading No head was raised on Freder’s entering.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
objectiveadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒektɪv/
undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No head was raised on Freder’s entering.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
and nothing more
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
having a margin incised almost to the base so as to create distinct divisions or lobes
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
pencilsnounUS /ˈpensəlz/
plural of “pencil” — a thin cylindrical pointed writing implement; a rod of marking substance encased in wood
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
peopledadjectiveUS /ˈpiːpəld/
furnished with people
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
personificationnounUS /pərˌsɑːnəfəˈkeɪʃən/
a person who represents an abstract quality
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading No head was raised on Freder’s entering.
resembledverbUS /rɪˈzembəld/
past form of “resemble” — appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
rhythmicallyadverbUS /ˈrɪðmɪkli/
in a rhythmic manner
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
secretariesnounUS /ˈsekrəteriz/
plural of “secretary” — a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
the place where something begins, where it springs into being
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
statuesnounUS /ˈstætʃuːz/
plural of “statue” — a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
sweat-bedewed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
water-basin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The brain-pan of the New Tower of Babel was peopled with numbers.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading From an invisible source the numbers dropped rhythmically down through the cooled air of the room, being collected, as in a water-basin, at the table at which the great brain of Metropolis worked, becoming objective under the pencils of his secretaries.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
but in spite of that
From this reading Although sitting as immovable as statues, of which only the writing fingers of the right hand stirred, yet each single one, with sweat-bedewed brow and parted lips, seemed the personification of Breathlessness.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading These eight young men resembled each other as brothers, which they were not.
