used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
bewilderedadjectiveUS /bɪˈwɪldərd/
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
brushesnounUS /ˈbrʌʃɪz/
plural of “brush” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
bulking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
communiquesnounUS /kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪz/
plural of “communique” — an official report (usually sent in haste)
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
conjecturesnounUS /kənˈdʒektʃərz/
plural of “conjecture” — a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
creakedverbUS /kriːkt/
past form of “creak” — make a high-pitched, screeching noise
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
denialsnounUS /dɪˈnaɪəlz/
plural of “denial” — the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
emittingverbUS /ɪˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “emit” — expel (gases or odors)
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
fabricationsnounUS /ˌfæbrɪˈkeɪʃənz/
plural of “fabrication” — a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
fitfullyadverbUS /ˈfɪtfəli/
in a fitful manner
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
insistentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsɪstənt/
repetitive and persistent
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
journalisticadjectiveUS /ˌdʒɜːrnəˈlɪstɪk/
of or relating to or having the characteristics of journalism
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
provided with artificial light
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
miasmanounUS /miˈæzmə/
an unwholesome atmosphere
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
murmursnounUS /ˈmɜːrmərz/
plural of “murmur” — a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
newsmen's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
noisesnounUS /ˈnɔɪzɪz/
plural of “noise” — sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
outrightadverbUS /ˈaʊˈtraɪt/
without restrictions or stipulations or further payments
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
photo-bulbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
involving or characteristic of politics or parties or politicians
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
portentousadjectiveUS /pɔːrˈtentəs/
of momentous or ominous significance
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
rumblingsnounUS /ˈrʌmbəlɪŋz/
plural of “rumbling” — a loud low dull continuous noise
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
screwsnounUS /skruːz/
plural of “screw” — someone who guards prisoners
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
shapesnounUS /ʃeɪps/
plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
sibilantnoun
a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
slurped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
statementsnounUS /ˈsteɪtmənts/
plural of “statement” — a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
strictlyadverbUS /ˈstrɪktli/
restricted to something
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
suavelyadverb
with suavity; in a suave manner
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
thickeningadjectiveUS /ˈθɪkənɪŋ/
accumulating and becoming more intense
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
thumpsnounUS /θʌmps/
plural of “thump” — a heavy dull sound (as made by impact of heavy objects)
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
transpiredverbUS /trænˈspaɪərd/
past form of “transpire” — pass through the tissue or substance or its pores or interstices, as of gas
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
unansweredadjectiveUS /ˌʌˈnænsərd/
not returned in kind
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/
not seen or perceived
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were the portentous rumblings of prepared statements, and the hollow thumps of denials.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
whispersnounUS /ˈwɪspərz/
plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords
From this reading There were soft murmurs of, "Now, this is strictly off the record ..." followed by sibilant whispers.
whitewashnounUS /ˈwaɪtwɑːʃ/
a defeat in which the losing person or team fails to score
From this reading The unseen screws of political pressure creaked, and whitewash brushes slurped suavely.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In the month which followed, events transpired through a thickening miasma of rumors, official communiques, journalistic conjectures, and outright fabrications, fitfully lit by the glare of newsmen's photo-bulbs, bulking with strange shapes, and emitting stranger noises.
yammering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And there was an insistent yammering of bewildered and unanswered questions.
