used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
Bishop'snounUS /ˈbɪʃəps/
possessive form of “bishop” — a senior member of the Christian clergy having spiritual and administrative authority; appointed in Christian churches to oversee priests or ministers; considered in some churches to be successors of the twelve Apostles of Christ
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
quick and energetic
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
capenounUS /keɪp/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
carriagesnounUS /ˈkærɪdʒɪz/
plural of “carriage” — a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
a young person of either sex
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
gropingadjectiveUS /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/
acting with uncertainty or hesitance or lack of confidence
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
GroupsnounUS /ɡruːps/
plural of “group” — any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
jingleverbUS /ˈdʒɪŋɡəl/
make a sound typical of metallic objects
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
without good reason
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
motornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
not one, and not any
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
the middle of the day
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
past form of “smile” — change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
sparklingadjectiveUS /ˈspɑːrklɪŋ/
shining with brilliant points of light like stars
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
tenementsnounUS /ˈtenəmənts/
plural of “tenement” — a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Groups, lightly laughing in the Christmas sun, brushed by the old familiar figure in the cape overcoat, but they seemed strangers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
not known
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
Westbury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
in or at the place that
From this reading Was this his Westbury, where none of this gay Christmas throng gave thought to those swarming tenements at the bending of the river?
wistfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɪstfəl/
showing pensive sadness
From this reading In the sharp daylight after that dusky study, the Bishop trod an unknown street, as wistful and alone as a lost child.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His blue eyes were vague as he smiled in response to motor cars that flashed by, or carriages that passed with a brisk jingle of harness.
but in spite of that
From this reading The air of the blue Christmas noon was sparkling clear, yet the Bishop’s steps were groping.
