Chapter XVI

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

blowing in violent and abrupt bursts

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

aimless wandering from place to place

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

having a dun color

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

one or the other of two

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

divisible by two

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

opinion or judgment

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

depressingly dark

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

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 Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading "HIS NAME IS LAURENCE THORNDYKE."

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

against your will

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "HIS NAME IS LAURENCE THORNDYKE."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "HIS NAME IS LAURENCE THORNDYKE."

raise from a lower to a higher position

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

plural of “maid” — a female domestic

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

march in a procession

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading "HIS NAME IS LAURENCE THORNDYKE."

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

out of fashion

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

material used to pave an area

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

plural of “pedestrian” — a person who travels by foot

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

assume a prim appearance

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

(of weather) wet by periods of rain

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

plural of “shiver” — a reflex motion caused by cold or fear or excitement

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

plural of “sob” — a dyspneic condition

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

move hurridly

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

the season of growth

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

make square

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

plural of “stand” — a support or foundation

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

in or at that place or location

From this reading In a quiet, old-fashioned street--for there are quiet, old-fashioned streets even in New York--there stands a big, square, dingy, red brick house, set in a square of grass-grown front garden, a square of brick paving in the rear.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "HIS NAME IS LAURENCE THORNDYKE."

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Two slim poplars--"old maids of the forest," lift their tall, prim green heads on either side of the heavy hall door.

filled with water

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The house looks comfortable, but gloomy, and that is precisely what it is, this dun-colored spring day, comfortable, but gloomy.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

a reflex that closes and opens the eyes rapidly

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

in the company of; together with

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.

the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose

From this reading A gray March afternoon is blustering itself out in the streets of New York--a slate-colored sky, fast drifting with black, rainy clouds; the wind sobs and shivers in great dusty soughs, and pedestrians bow involuntarily before it, and speed along with winking and watery eyes.