used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Here he paused and glanced furtively about him.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
Aniston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
in a state of sleep
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
avoidingverbUS /əˈvɔɪdɪŋ/
-ing form of “avoid” — stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
belatedadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
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 wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
chapelnounUS /ˈtʃæpəl/
a place of worship that has its own altar
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
chillyadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪli/
not characterized by emotion
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
cloudyadjectiveUS /ˈklaʊdi/
lacking definite form or limits
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
fountained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
frontingverbUS /ˈfrʌntɪŋ/
-ing form of “front” — be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
frostyadjectiveUS /ˈfrɔːsti/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
furtivelyadverbUS /ˈfɜːrtɪvli/
in a furtive manner
From this reading Here he paused and glanced furtively about him.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading Here he paused and glanced furtively about him.
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
GothicadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːθɪk/
characteristic of the style of type commonly used for printing German
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here he paused and glanced furtively about him.
not accessible to view
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Here he paused and glanced furtively about him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
and nothing more
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
the natural satellite of the Earth
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
and nothing more
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
go across or through
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Here he paused and glanced furtively about him.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
pedestriansnounUS /pəˈdestriənz/
plural of “pedestrian” — a person who travels by foot
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
PENITENTnounUS /ˈpenɪtɪnt/
(Roman Catholic Church) a person who repents for wrongdoing (a Roman Catholic may be admitted to penance under the direction of a confessor)
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
cut with a saw
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
siftingnounUS /ˈsɪftɪŋ/
the act of separating grain from chaff
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
snowflakesnounUS /ˈsnoʊfleɪks/
plural of “snowflake” — a crystal of snow
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
make square
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
steeplenounUS /ˈstiːpəl/
a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
THIEFnounUS /θiːf/
a criminal who takes property belonging to someone else with the intention of keeping it or selling it
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
up to a particular time
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
wayfarernoun
a pedestrian who walks from place to place
From this reading The wayfarer skirted the square, keeping in cover of the buildings as though avoiding chance observation, till he stood on the pavement of a Gothic chapel fronting the open space.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The streets were asleep; only occasional belated pedestrians were to be seen in the chilly air.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE PENITENT THIEF A frosty gloom was over the city of Aniston, moon and stars hidden by a cloudy sky, from which a light snow--the first of the season--was sifting down.
belonging to which person
From this reading These saw a man, his face muffled from the snowflakes, pass hurriedly toward the fountained square, from whose steeple two o'clock was just striking.
