used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
a line of approach
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
BroadwaynounUS /ˈbrɔːdweɪ/
a street in Manhattan that passes through Times Square; famous for its theaters
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
bulking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
darkeningadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/
becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
dears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
downtownnounUS /ˈdaʊnˈtaʊn/
the central area or commercial center of a town or city
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
draughtsnounUS /dræfts/
a checkerboard game for two players who each have 12 pieces; the object is to jump over and so capture the opponent's pieces
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
EaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/
any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
entrancesnounUS /ˈentrənsəz/
plural of “entrance” — something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
FifthnounUS /fɪfθ/
a quantity of liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
Island'snounUS /ˈaɪləndz/
possessive form of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
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 As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
most important element
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
mansionsnounUS /ˈmæntʃənz/
plural of “mansion” — (astrology) one of 12 equal areas into which the zodiac is divided
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
Massasoitnoun
Wampanoag leader who aided the Pilgrims (1580-1661)
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
MOLLYnounUS /ˈmɑːli/
popular aquarium fish
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
nichenounUS /nɪtʃ/
a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
and nothing more
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
part-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
presentingverbUS /prɪˈzentɪŋ/
-ing form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
possessing material wealth
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
skyscrapersnounUS /ˈskaɪskreɪpərz/
plural of “skyscraper” — a very tall building with many stories
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
slabnounUS /slæb/
block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
soaringadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrɪŋ/
ascending to a level markedly higher than the usual
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
spoilingnounUS /ˈspɔɪlɪŋ/
the process of becoming spoiled
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
squeezingnounUS /ˈskwiːzɪŋ/
the act of gripping and pressing firmly
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
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 MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
subwaynounUS /ˈsʌbweɪ/
an electric railway operating below the surface of the ground (usually in a city)
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
a state of acute pain
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
tipnounUS /tɪp/
the extreme end of something; especially something pointed
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
toysnounUS /tɔɪz/
plural of “toy” — an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
precisely as stated
From this reading There is only one other very high building near there—the Massasoit—facing on Fifth Avenue, its back soaring above the small houses that look like a line of children’s toys.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading It stood on a corner presenting a great slab of wall to the side street and its front to Broadway.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were two entrances, the main one—with an eagle in a niche over the door—on Broadway, and a smaller one on the side street.
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading MOLLY TELLS THE STORY The Black Eagle Building is part-way downtown—not one of the skyscrapers that crowd together on the tip of the Island’s tongue and not one of the advance guard squeezing in among the mansions of the rich, darkening their windows and spoiling their chimney draughts—poor, suffering dears!
in the company of; together with
From this reading As I came up the subway stairs I could see it bulking up above the roofs, a long narrow shape, with its windows shining in the sun.
