Chapter XIX · Chapter 19

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

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

(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 The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

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

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

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

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “banner” — long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

next to; at the side of

From this reading Rose is walking beside me.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

the act of examining resemblances

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

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

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

plural of “dress” — a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

comparative of “dull” — lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

inflected form of “freeze” — stop moving or become immobilized

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

the quality of shining with a bright reflected light

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

immediately past

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

go across or through

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

a course of conduct

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “plaster” — a mixture of lime or gypsum with sand and water; hardens into a smooth solid; used to cover walls and ceilings

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

the act of playing a musical instrument

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “raise” — the amount a salary is increased

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

get something; come into possession of

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Rose is walking beside me.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

the display of a motion picture

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

covered with snow

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....

past form of “snow” — fall as snow

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

a state of social isolation

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

not in physical motion

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “sweeper” — an employee who sweeps (floors or streets etc.)

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

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

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

palace and royal residence built for Catherine de Medicis in 1564 and burned down in 1871; all that remains today are the formal gardens

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

precisely as stated

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading Rose is walking beside me.

the act of signaling by a movement of the hand

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

a Caucasian

From this reading It snowed last night for the first time; then it froze; and the trees in the Tuileries are now showing the white lines of their branches against a dreary sky.

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

From this reading A keen wind plasters our dresses against us and raises them behind into dark, waving banners.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading I slowly follow the little black path made by the sweepers; I receive an impression of solitude; the streets are very still; it is as though sick people lay behind the closed windows; and the voices of the children playing as I pass seem to come to me through invisible curtains.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The daylight seems all the duller by comparison with the glitter of the snow-covered ground....