1861
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
1862
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
burntadjectiveUS /bɜːrnt/
ruined by overcooking
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
clothing in general
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
the first light of day
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
distinguishableadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃəbəl/
capable of being perceived as different or distinct
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading ‘Earth turned in her sleep for pain.’
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
faminenounUS /ˈfæmən/
an acute insufficiency
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading ‘Earth turned in her sleep for pain.’
forthcomingadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/
at ease in talking to others
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ‘Earth turned in her sleep for pain.’
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
meagreadjective
deficient in amount or quality or extent
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
mutterverbUS /ˈmʌtər/
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
not any; not one
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
and nothing more
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading ‘Earth turned in her sleep for pain.’
pinchedadjectiveUS /pɪntʃt/
sounding as if the nose were pinched
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
pleasuresnounUS /ˈpleʒərz/
plural of “pleasure” — a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
profoundest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
only a very short time before
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading ‘Earth turned in her sleep for pain.’
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
smokedadjectiveUS /smoʊkt/
(used especially of meats and fish) dried and cured by hanging in wood smoke
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The year 1862 dawned, but with a dawn so dark as scarce to be distinguishable from profoundest midnight.
trampedverbUS /træmpt/
past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading ‘Earth turned in her sleep for pain.’
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
workersnounUS /ˈwɜːrkərz/
plural of “worker” — a person who works at a specific occupation
From this reading Few chimneys smoked, no workers tramped through the streets; faces were pinched, fires burnt low and meagre in the bitter weather; money was not forthcoming, clothes were few, pleasures were at an end.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading January, February, dragged slowly by, and times only grew worse.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading THE FIRST OF THE STORM The year 1861 had closed in thick clouds and a great darkness, with the mutter of war in the far west, and with the threatening of famine at home.
