adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
bitteradjectiveUS /ˈbɪtər/
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
blackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
bowedadjectiveUS /baʊd/
of a stringed instrument; sounded by stroking with a bow
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
cloudverbUS /klaʊd/
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
cottagenounUS /ˈkɑːtədʒ/
a small house with a single story
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
curtainnounUS /ˈkɜːrtən/
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
DeannounUS /diːn/
an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
defiancenounUS /dɪˈfaɪəns/
intentionally contemptuous behavior or attitude
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
doornounUS /dɔːr/
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
doorwaynounUS /ˈdɔːrweɪ/
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
dropsnounUS /drɑːps/
plural of “drop” — a shape that is spherical and small
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
du
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
emptyverbUS /ˈempti/
make void or empty of contents
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
fallverbUS /fɔːl/
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
fearingverbUS /ˈfɪrɪŋ/
-ing form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
findverbUS /faɪnd/
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
footstepsnounUS /ˈfʊtsteps/
plural of “footstep” — the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/
at or to or toward the front
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
fruitlessadjectiveUS /ˈfruːtləs/
unproductive of success
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
grandfathernounUS /ˈɡrændfɑːðər/
the father of your father or mother
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
Guida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
half-hournounUS /ˈhæfaʊər/
a half of an hour
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
hall-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
hastenedverbUS /ˈheɪsənd/
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
hesitatingadjectiveUS /ˈhezəteɪtɪŋ/
lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
hotadjectiveUS /hɑːt/
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
housenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
indignationnounUS /ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/
a feeling of righteous anger
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
MnounUS /em/
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
Mauprat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
minutesnounUS /ˈmɪnəts/
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
oppressiveadjectiveUS /əˈpresɪv/
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
pausedverbUS /pɔːzd/
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading He muttered to himself as he opened the door, and he paused in the hall-way as though hesitating to go forward.
PlacenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
PrisonnounUS /ˈprɪzən/
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
raisedadjectiveUS /reɪzd/
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
sortnounUS /sɔːrt/
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
south-eastadverb
to, toward, or in the southeast
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
spitenounUS /spaɪt/
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
suppernounUS /ˈsʌpər/
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading M. de Mauprat had preceded her by not more than five minutes.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
townnounUS /taʊn/
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/
a source of difficulty
From this reading As she neared the doorway of the cottage, a few heavy drops began to fall, and, in spite of her bitter trouble, she quickened her footsteps, fearing that her grandfather had come back, to find the house empty and no light or supper ready.
unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/
subject to change or variation
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
Vier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It had been a hot, oppressive day, but when, a half-hour later, Guida hastened back from a fruitless visit to the house of the Dean, who was absent in England, a vast black cloud had drawn up from the south-east, dropping a curtain of darkness upon the town.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading His footsteps across the Place du Vier Prison had been unsteady, his head bowed, though more than once he raised it with a sort of effort, as it were in indignation or defiance.
