used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
architecturenounUS /ˈɑːrkətektʃər/
an architectural product or work
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
bespeaksverbUS /bɪˈspiːks/
third-person singular of “bespeak” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
culturedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltʃərd/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
one or the other of two
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
plural of “family” — a social unit living together
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
fashionableadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənəbəl/
being or in accordance with current social fashions
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
flamboyantadjectiveUS /flæmˈbɔɪənt/
marked by ostentation but often tasteless
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
flourishverbUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃ/
grow vigorously
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
gaudyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːdi/
tastelessly showy
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
long-accustomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
long-settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
Lover'snounUS /ˈlʌvərz/
possessive form of “lover” — a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
luxuriesnounUS /ˈlʌɡʒəriz/
plural of “luxury” — something that is an indulgence rather than a necessity
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
newly-rich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
not any; not one
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
pavementnounUS /ˈpeɪvmənt/
the paved surface of a thoroughfare
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
one of four equal parts
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
on the contrary
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
shadedadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdɪd/
protected from heat and light with shade or shadow
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
in the near future
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
spaciousnessnoun
spatial largeness and extensiveness (especially inside a building)
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
statelyadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪtli/
impressive in appearance
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
surroundingsnounUS /sərˈaʊndɪŋz/
the environmental condition
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here was no gaudy architecture, no flamboyant flourish of the newly-rich; rather the evidence of families long-settled in their present surroundings and long-accustomed to the luxuries of a cultured and generous existence.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The Lover's Story I paused, as soon as we reached the pavement, for a look about me.
the state of being rich and affluent; having a plentiful supply of material goods and money
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
well-keptadjective
kept in good condition
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were evidently in the fashionable quarter of the town.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The houses which stretched away on either hand had that spaciousness, that air of dignity and quiet, which bespeaks wealth and leisure.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The street was wide, well-kept, and shaded by stately elms.
