used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
AboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
awnings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
beguilingadjectiveUS /bɪˈɡaɪlɪŋ/
highly attractive and able to arouse hope or desire
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
blazedverbUS /bleɪzd/
past form of “blaze” — shine brightly and intensively
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
brazenadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪzən/
unrestrained by convention or propriety
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
CarriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
containingverbUS /kənˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
ducksnounUS /dʌks/
plural of “duck” — small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
DurbannounUS /ˈdɜːrbən/
a port city in eastern South Africa on the Indian Ocean; resort and industrial center
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
fascinatedadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtəd/
having your attention fixated as though by a spell
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
flannelsnounUS /ˈflænəlz/
plural of “flannel” — a soft light woolen fabric; used for clothing
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
fragrantadjectiveUS /ˈfreɪɡrənt/
pleasant-smelling
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
a young female
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
glaredverbUS /ɡlerd/
past form of “glare” — look at with a fixed gaze
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
gownsnounUS /ɡaʊnz/
plural of “gown” — a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
an iconic mental representation
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
long-stalkedadjective
of plants having relatively long stalks
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
most important element
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
the force of workers available
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
mimosanounUS /mɪˈmoʊsə/
evergreen Australasian tree having white or silvery bark and young leaves and yellow flowers
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
in motion
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
passers-bynounUS /ˈpæsərzbaɪ/
plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
rickshawnoun
a small two-wheeled cart for one passenger; pulled by one person
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
rickshaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
do one's shopping
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
spraysnounUS /spreɪz/
plural of “spray” — a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
sunshades
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Black boys at the street corners held out long-stalked roses and sprays of fragrant mimosa to the passers-by, beguiling them to buy.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
veilsnounUS /veɪlz/
plural of “veil” — a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
a Caucasian
From this reading Men in loose white ducks and flannels sauntered along, or stood smoking and talking under the shop awnings.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Above the wide main street of Durban the sun blazed and glared like a brazen image of itself in the high ardent blue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The girl, with a little curling motion, leaned back in the rickshaw and gazed with fascinated eyes at the moving picture before her, seen through the hazy heat of a summer day.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Carriages and rickshaws flew past, containing women in light gowns and big veils, with white and sometimes scarlet sunshades.
