Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

(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 They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

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

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

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

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

a structure or object that impedes free movement

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

a borough of New York City

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

the prevailing context that influences the performance or the outcome of a process

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

neither warm nor very cold; giving relief from heat

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

past form of “crawl” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

traveling across

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

at any time

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

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

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

plural of “fur” — the dressed hairy coat of a mammal

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

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

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

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

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

(of animals) fully developed

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

a teeming multitude

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

toward home

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

characteristic of humanity

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

-ing form of “ignore” — refuse to acknowledge

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

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

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

assets that are saleable though not material or physical

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

in an unhurried way or at one's convenience

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

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

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

a midday meal

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

without pity; in a merciless manner

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

on one occasion

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

above your head; in the sky

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

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

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

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

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

a rapid series of short loud sounds (as might be heard with a stethoscope in some types of respiratory disorders)

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

in the near future

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

the rays of the sun

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

of or relating to the sympathetic nervous system

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

great in vertical dimension; high in stature

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

in a confused mass

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

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

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

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

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

without beauty or charm

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

lacking pretension or affectation

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

up to a particular time

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

plural of “vehicle” — a conveyance that transports people or objects

From this reading They crawled along, one of an interminable, tangled line of vehicles of all sorts and conditions, the trains rattling overhead, and endless streams of earnest people passing along the footway.

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

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

United States actress and singer (1896-1977)

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

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

From this reading It was not until they were crossing Brooklyn Bridge, on their way into the city, that she asked him that question.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading All through the day, during the luncheon in an unpretentious little inn, and the leisurely homeward drive, she had been once more entirely herself, pleasant and sympathetic, ignoring absolutely the intangible barrier which had grown up between them, soon to be thrown down for ever or to remain for all time.

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

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.

(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface

From this reading Below them, the evening sunlight flashed upon the murky waters, glittered from the windows of the tall buildings, and shone a little mercilessly upon the unlovely purlieus of the great human hive.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The wind had turned cool, and Elizabeth, with a little shiver, had drawn her furs around her neck.