used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
in addition
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
autumnaladjectiveUS /ɔːˈtʌmnəl/
of or characteristic of or occurring in autumn
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
compartmentnounUS /kəmˈpɑːrtmənt/
a space into which an area is subdivided
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
a boy or man
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
inclinationnounUS /ˌɪnkləˈneɪʃən/
an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
LARGEadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
immediately past
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
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 In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
LUNATICadjectiveUS /ˈluːnətɪk/
insane and believed to be affected by the phases of the moon
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
a particular point in time
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
held or filled or in use
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
passengernounUS /ˈpæsəndʒər/
a traveler riding in a vehicle (a boat or bus or car or plane or train etc) who is not operating it
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
cut with a saw
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
singularlyadverbUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələrli/
in a singular manner or to a singular degree
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
solitudenounUS /ˈsɑːlətuːd/
a state of social isolation
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
sombrelyadverb
in a somber manner
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
SPYverbUS /spaɪ/
catch sight of
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AUTHOR OF "THE MAN FROM THE CLOUDS," "THE SPY IN BLACK," "THE LUNATIC AT LARGE," ETC.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
travellernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
unostentatiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
precisely as stated
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading The train had come a long journey and the afternoon was wearing on.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading In fact this was at least the third compartment he had occupied, for whenever a fellow traveller entered, he unostentatiously descended, and in a moment had slipped, also unostentatiously, into an empty carriage.
windingadjectiveUS /ˈwaɪndɪŋ/
marked by repeated turns and bends
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The passenger in the last third class compartment but one, looking out of the window sombrely and intently, saw nothing now but desolate brown hills and a winding lonely river, very northern looking under the autumnal sky.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was alone in the carriage, and if any one had happened to study his movements during the interminable journey, they would have concluded that for some reason he seemed to have a singularly strong inclination for solitude.
