AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
approachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/
move towards
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
closeradverbUS /ˈkloʊsər/
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
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 THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
coveredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvərd/
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
deniedverbUS /dɪˈnaɪd/
inflected form of “deny” — declare untrue; contradict
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
drearadjective
causing dejection
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
drippingnounUS /ˈdrɪpɪŋ/
a liquid (as water) that flows in drops (as from the eaves of house)
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
drizzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪzəlɪŋ/
(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
droppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
electricadjectiveUS /ɪˈlektrɪk/
using or providing or producing or transmitting or operated by electricity
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
flounced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
glarenounUS /ɡler/
a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
glassnounUS /ɡlæs/
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
glistenedverbUS /ˈɡlɪsənd/
past form of “glisten” — be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
globesnounUS /ɡloʊbz/
plural of “globe” — the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
GracenounUS /ɡreɪs/
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
hansomnounUS /ˈhænsəm/
a two-wheeled horse-drawn covered carriage with the driver's seat above and behind the passengers
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
hoodnounUS /hʊd/
an aggressive and violent young criminal
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
huddlingverbUS /ˈhʌdəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “huddle” — crowd or draw together
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
Hugh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
Isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
keptadjectiveUS /kept/
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
killingnounUS /ˈkɪlɪŋ/
an event that causes someone to die
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
leapedverbUS /lept/
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
lightsnounUS /laɪts/
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
lowerverbUS /ˈloʊər/
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
mantlenounUS /ˈmæntəl/
the cloak as a symbol of authority
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
murmuredverbUS /ˈmɜːrmərd/
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
nearlyadverbUS /ˈnɪrli/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
nervousadjectiveUS /ˈnɜːrvəs/
easily agitated
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
OBSTACLEnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəl/
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
overcastnounUS /ˈoʊvərkæst/
the state of the sky when it is covered by clouds
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
parknounUS /pɑːrk/
a large area of land preserved in its natural state as public property
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
pattingverbUS /ˈpætɪŋ/
inflected form of “pat” — pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
pavementsnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənts/
plural of “pavement” — the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
raindropsnounUS /ˈreɪndrɑːps/
plural of “raindrop” — a drop of rain
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
RiversidenounUS /ˈrɪvərsaɪd/
the bank of a river
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading "Isn't it dismal?" murmured Grace, huddling closer to his side.
sidewalksnounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːks/
plural of “sidewalk” — walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
sombreadjective
lacking brightness or color; dull
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
swishing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
thousandsnounUS /ˈθaʊzəndz/
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
tinyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪni/
very small
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE FIRST OBSTACLE A drizzling rain began to fall and an overcast sky, cold and bleak, dropped lower and lower until it covered the dripping park like a sombre mantle.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
volcanoesnounUS /vɑːlˈkeɪnoʊz/
plural of “volcano” — a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The electric lights were coming on; pavements glistened with the glare from the globes; tiny volcanoes leaped up by thousands as the patting, swishing raindrops flounced to the sidewalks.
wetadjectiveUS /wet/
covered or soaked with a liquid such as water
From this reading The glass in the hood of the hansom kept out the biting rain, but the drear approach of a wet evening was not to be denied.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For nearly three hours Hugh and Grace had been driven through the park and up the Riverside, killing time with a nervous energy that was beginning to tell.
