Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

(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 In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

in a state of sleep

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

object formed by a mold

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

unvarying in nature

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

amazingly impressive; suggestive of the flashing of lightning

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

plural of “dome” — a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

plural of “facade” — the face or front of a building

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

past form of “glitter” — be shiny, as if wet

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

moving with great haste

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It was night in St. Petersburg.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was night in St. Petersburg.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

softly bright or radiant

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

most important element

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

a river in northwestern Russia flowing generally west into the Gulf of Finland

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading It was night in St. Petersburg.

the middle of the day

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

plural of “palace” — a large and stately mansion

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

the paved surface of a thoroughfare

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

a town in southeastern Virginia (south of Richmond); scene of heavy fighting during the American Civil War

From this reading It was night in St. Petersburg.

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

plural of “reflection” — a calm, lengthy, intent consideration

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

-ing form of “shimmer” — shine with a weak or fitful light

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was night in St. Petersburg.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

marked with or as if with stripes or linear discolorations

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A constant stream of people in sledges and on foot filled the Morskaia, hurrying in the one direction.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

plural of “thoroughfare” — a public road from one place to another

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

like the short high ringing sound of a small bell

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was night in St. Petersburg.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

during the time that

From this reading In the side streets the shadows were heavy, the facades of the great palaces casting strange and dark reflections upon the pavement; but the main thoroughfares were streaked as with silver, while along the quay all was bright and luminous as at noontide, the Neva asleep like a frozen Princess under a breast-plate of shimmering ice.

the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading The wind was cold, the air frosty and gay with tinkling sleigh-bells.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The moon was high in the heavens, and the domes, crowned with a fresh diadem of snow, glittered with a dazzling whiteness.