a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
in addition
From this reading But the toy-shops were brilliant also.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
beefnounUS /biːf/
cattle that are reared for their meat
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
bellsnounUS /belz/
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
brightestadjectiveUS /ˈbraɪtəst/
superlative of “bright” — emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading But the toy-shops were brilliant also.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the toy-shops were brilliant also.
butchersnounUS /ˈbʊtʃərz/
plural of “butcher” — a retailer of meat
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
Christ-child
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
constellationsnounUS /ˌkɑːnstəˈleɪʃənz/
plural of “constellation” — an arrangement of parts or elements
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
desksnounUS /desks/
plural of “desk” — a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
dove-cots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
eddiesnounUS /ˈediz/
plural of “eddy” — founder of Christian Science in 1866 (1821-1910)
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
opinion or judgment
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
flaringadjectiveUS /ˈflerɪŋ/
streaming or flapping or spreading wide as if in a current of air
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
givernounUS /ˈɡɪvər/
someone who devotes himself completely
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
hensnounUS /henz/
plural of “hen” — adult female chicken
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
insidesnounUS /ˌɪnˈsaɪdz/
plural of “inside” — the region that is inside of something
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
murkyadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrki/
(of liquids) clouded as with sediment
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
mysteriesnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
Phosy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
prizenounUS /praɪz/
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
express in words
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
tidesnounUS /taɪdz/
plural of “tide” — the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
toy-shops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the toy-shops were brilliant also.
treasure-caves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading In every one of those shops her eyes would have searched for the Christ-child, the giver of all their wealth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
which person or people
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
belonging to which person
From this reading On Christmas Eve the church bells were ringing through the murky air of London, whose streets lay flaring and steaming below.
windmillsnounUS /ˈwɪndmɪlz/
plural of “windmill” — a mill that is powered by the wind
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
in the company of; together with
From this reading The brightest of their constellations were the butchers' shops, with their shows of prize beef; around them, the eddies of the human tides were most confused and knotted.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To Phosy they would have been the treasure-caves of the Christ-child--all mysteries, all with insides to them--boxes, and desks, and windmills, and dove-cots, and hens with chickens, and who could tell what all?
