adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
basenounUS /beɪs/
installation from which a military force initiates operations
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
BasilnounUS /ˈbæzəl/
any of several Old World tropical aromatic annual or perennial herbs of the genus Ocimum
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
civilizationnounUS /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
criminalsnounUS /ˈkrɪmənəlz/
plural of “criminal” — someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
dennounUS /den/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
densnounUS /denz/
plural of “den” — the habitation of wild animals
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
depictverbUS /dɪˈpɪkt/
show in, or as in, a picture
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
desertedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
eternitynounUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəti/
time without end
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
fairynounUS /ˈferi/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
filthyadjectiveUS /ˈfɪlθi/
disgustingly dirty; filled or smeared with offensive matter
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
flyingadjectiveUS /ˈflaɪɪŋ/
moving swiftly
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
GrantverbUS /ɡrænt/
let have
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
hillnounUS /hɪl/
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
horrornounUS /ˈhɔːrər/
intense and profound fear
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
housesnounUS /ˈhaʊsəz/
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
immensitynoun
unusual largeness in size or extent or number
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
infinitudenoun
an infinite quantity
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
maniacsnounUS /ˈmeɪniæks/
plural of “maniac” — an insane person
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
matternounUS /ˈmætər/
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
meannessnounUS /ˈmiːnnəs/
the quality of being deliberately mean
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
misrepresentedadjectiveUS /ˌmɪsreprɪˈzentɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
missedadjectiveUS /mɪst/
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
narrowverbUS /ˈneroʊ/
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
NorthnounUS /nɔːrθ/
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
novelistsnounUS /ˈnɑːvələsts/
plural of “novelist” — one who writes novels
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
pacenounUS /peɪs/
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
partsnounUS /pɑːrts/
the local environment
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
perfectadjectiveUS /pərˈfekt/
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
placenounUS /pleɪs/
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
realadjectiveUS /riːl/
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
sensationaladjectiveUS /senˈseɪʃənəl/
causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
sensenounUS /sens/
a general conscious awareness
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
spacenounUS /speɪs/
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
squalidadjectiveUS /ˈskwɑːləd/
morally degraded
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
streetnounUS /striːt/
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
streetsnounUS /striːts/
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
superbadjectiveUS /sʊˈpɜːrb/
of surpassing excellence
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
talenounUS /teɪl/
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 To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
ToparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To talk on the top of a hill is superb, but to talk on the top of a flying hill is a fairy tale.
tolerablyadverb
in an acceptable (but not outstanding) manner
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
totallyadverbUS /ˈtoʊtəli/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
tramcarnoun
a four-wheeled wagon that runs on tracks in a mine
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
vicenounUS /vaɪs/
moral weakness
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The vast blank space of North London was flying by; the very pace gave us a sense of its immensity and its meanness.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Basil Grant and I were talking one day in what is perhaps the most perfect place for talking on earth--the top of a tolerably deserted tramcar.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was, as it were, a base infinitude, a squalid eternity, and we felt the real horror of the poor parts of London, the horror that is so totally missed and misrepresented by the sensational novelists who depict it as being a matter of narrow streets, filthy houses, criminals and maniacs, and dens of vice.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading In a narrow street, in a den of vice, you do not expect civilization, you do not expect order.
