used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
anew
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
committingverbUS /kəˈmɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “commit” — perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
dejected-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
developedadjectiveUS /dɪˈveləpt/
being changed over time so as to be e.g. stronger or more complete or more useful
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
(of a number) having a fixed and unchanging value
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
flurrynounUS /ˈflɜːri/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
freight-train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
insignificantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnsɪɡˈnjɪfɪkənt/
signifying nothing
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
IRONYnounUS /ˈaɪrəni/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
Kilday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
railroad-track
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
SandyadjectiveUS /ˈsændi/
of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
suicidenounUS /ˈsuːəsaɪd/
the act of killing yourself
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
push forcefully
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
trampedverbUS /træmpt/
past form of “tramp” — travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
From this reading Four miles from town, in a dreary stretch of country, a dejected-looking object tramped along the railroad-track.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
look attentively
From this reading Now and again he stopped, listened, and looked at his watch.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His hat was pulled over his eyes and his hands were thrust in his pockets.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE IRONY OF CHANCE The snow, which had begun as an insignificant flurry in the morning, developed into a storm by afternoon.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Sandy Kilday, and he was waiting for the freight-train with the fixed intention of committing suicide.
