used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
Broadhurst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at ease.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at ease.
cabinsnounUS /ˈkæbənz/
plural of “cabin” — small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
chinksnounUS /tʃɪŋks/
plural of “chink” — (ethnic slur) offensive term for a person of Chinese descent
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
claysnounUS /kleɪz/
plural of “clay” — a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
cloaks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
move gently or carefully
From this reading The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at ease.
eddying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at ease.
start firing a weapon
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
gorgesnounUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəz/
plural of “gorge” — a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
howlingnounUS /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
a long loud emotional utterance
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
HuttonnounUS /ˈhʌtən/
English cricketer (1916-1990)
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at ease.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
lapsedadjectiveUS /læpst/
no longer active or practicing
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
the force of workers available
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
moodilyadverb
in a moody manner
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
except for; apart from
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
shantiesnounUS /ˈʃæntiz/
plural of “shanty” — small crude shelter used as a dwelling
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
shinglesnounUS /ˈʃɪŋɡəlz/
eruptions along a nerve path often accompanied by severe neuralgia
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
staggeredverbUS /ˈstæɡərd/
past form of “stagger” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
not in physical motion
From this reading The silence was broken by Broadhurst, who was evidently still ill at ease.
stragglersnounUS /ˈstræɡlərz/
plural of “straggler” — someone who strays or falls behind
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
TrafalgarnounUS /trəˈfælɡər/
a naval battle in 1805 off the southwest coast of Spain; the French and Spanish fleets were defeated by the English under Nelson (who was mortally wounded)
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “Please God they may!” said Broadhurst; and the two men lapsed into silence for some time, moodily staring into the glow of the fire and pulling at their short clays.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was indeed, as Hutton had said, a dirty night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
whirlingnounUS /ˈwɜːrlɪŋ/
the act of rotating in a circle or spiral
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
which person or people
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading The wind was howling down through the gorges of the western mountains, and whirling and eddying among the streets of Trafalgar; whistling through the chinks in the rough wood cabins, and tearing away the frail shingles which formed the roofs.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading The streets were deserted, save for one or two stragglers from the drinking shanties, who wrapped their cloaks around them and staggered home through the wind and rain toward their own cabins.
