used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
in addition
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
banverbUS /bæn/
forbid the public distribution of ( a movie or a newspaper)
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
placed in a grave
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
funeralnounUS /ˈfjuːnərəl/
a ceremony at which a dead person is buried or cremated
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
Hansford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
a small worthless amount
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
openlyadverbUS /ˈoʊpənli/
in an open way
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
go across or through
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
rumorsnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumor” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
express in words
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
secrecynounUS /ˈsiːkrəsi/
the trait of keeping things secret
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
sidewalknounUS /ˈsaɪdwɔːk/
walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
a person, without saying who
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
in the near future
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
stampedverbUS /stæmpt/
past form of “stamp” — walk heavily
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Somebody had talked, and there were strange rumors afloat.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Miss Hansford was late at the funeral and held her head high in the air as she made her way through the crowd, which fell apart to let her pass and stared at her as if she were a stranger.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
plural of “tone” — the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
at the time that
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Very early the next morning crowds of people were making their way to the Percy Cottage, which was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A few whispered them to each other under ban of secrecy, while others discussed them more openly and stamped them a lie, or, at least, something which would be explained when Jack was buried.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The yard, also, was full, and the sidewalk; those on the outer edge speaking together in low tones, as if saying what they ought not to say and afraid of being heard.
