adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
atmospherenounUS /ˈætməsfɪr/
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
beatverbUS /biːt/
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
blastverbUS /blæst/
make a strident sound
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
buriedadjectiveUS /ˈberid/
placed in a grave
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
carpetnounUS /ˈkɑːrpət/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
chiming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
cloaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
closeadjectiveUS /kloʊs/
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
comfortableadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbəl/
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
dressing-gown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
EnvelopedverbUS /enˈveləpt/
past form of “envelop” — enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
EvenounUS /iːv/
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
fallingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlɪŋ/
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
feetnounUS /fiːt/
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
fingersnounUS /ˈfɪŋɡərz/
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
flakesnounUS /fleɪks/
plural of “flake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
flannel-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
Foot-passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
furiouslyadverbUS /ˈfjʊriəsli/
(of the elements) in a wild and stormy manner
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
half-frozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
headsnounUS /hedz/
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
infernallyadverb
extremely
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
keepingnounUS /ˈkiːpɪŋ/
conformity or harmony
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
lookverbUS /lʊk/
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
mannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
northnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
panesnounUS /peɪnz/
plural of “pane” — sheet glass cut in shapes for windows or doors
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
passers-bynounUS /ˈpæsərzbaɪ/
plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
rapidlyadverbUS /ˈræpədli/
with speed
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
slippedverbUS /slɪpt/
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
smilingnounUS /ˈsmaɪlɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
solesnounUS /soʊlz/
plural of “sol” — a colloid that has a continuous liquid phase in which a solid is suspended in a liquid
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
tappingnounUS /ˈtæpɪŋ/
the sound of light blow or knock
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
thickadjectiveUS /θɪk/
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
warmadjectiveUS /wɔːrm/
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That evening, which chanced to be Christmas Eve, it was infernally cold.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
windnounUS /waɪnd/
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
windownounUS /ˈwɪndoʊ/
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The snow was falling in heavy flakes, and, driven by the wind, beat furiously against the window panes.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
wintryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪntri/
characteristic of or occurring in winter
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Enveloped in my dressing-gown, and tapping with my fingers on the window-panes, I was smiling at the half-frozen passers-by, the north wind, and the snow, with the contented look of a man who is in a warm room and has on his feet comfortable flannel-lined slippers, the soles of which are buried in a thick carpet.
woollyadjectiveUS /ˈwʊli/
having a fluffy character or appearance
From this reading The distant chiming of the bells could just be heard through this heavy and woolly atmosphere.
wrappedadjectiveUS /ræpt/
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading Foot-passengers, wrapped in their cloaks, slipped rapidly along, keeping close to the house and bending their heads to the wintry blast.
