used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All roofs were recreation-spaces nowadays.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
any person at all
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
atopadverbUS /əˈtɑːp/
on, to, or at the top
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
buildingsnounUS /ˈbɪldɪŋz/
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
canyonsnounUS /ˈkænjənz/
plural of “canyon” — a ravine formed by a river in an area with little rainfall
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
Cochrane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
cynicaladjectiveUS /ˈsɪnɪkəl/
believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
an artistic form of nonverbal communication
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
to or in any or all places
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
the act of departing
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
he'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
helicab
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
hummed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
Jed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
set afire or burning
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
not any; not one
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
nowadaysnounUS /ˈnaʊədeɪz/
the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading All roofs were recreation-spaces nowadays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
and nothing more
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
realizingverbUS /ˈriːəlaɪzɪŋ/
-ing form of “realize” — be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
recreation-spaces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All roofs were recreation-spaces nowadays.
past form of “remind” — put in the mind of someone
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
roof-tops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading All roofs were recreation-spaces nowadays.
sardonicallyadverbUS /sɑːrˈdɑːnɪkəli/
in a sarcastic manner
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
shrubberynounUS /ˈʃrʌbəri/
an area where a number of shrubs are planted
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
soarverbUS /sɔːr/
rise rapidly
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
with low volume
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
tallestadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlɪst/
superlative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading He looked down at the trees and shrubbery on the roof-tops, and at a dance that was going on atop one of the tallest buildings.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Jed Cochrane tried to be cynical as the helicab hummed softly through the night over the city.
hard to endure
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were lights and people everywhere, and Cochrane sardonically reminded himself that he was no better than anybody else, only he'd been trying to keep from realizing it.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
in or at the place that
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The cab flew at two thousand feet, where lighted buildings seemed to soar toward it from the canyons which were streets.
