used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading She looked around frantically.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
bandsnounUS /bændz/
plural of “band” — an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
bathingnounUS /ˈbeɪðɪŋ/
immersing the body in water or sunshine
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
blaringnounUS /ˈblerɪŋ/
a loud harsh or strident noise
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
bobbingverbUS /ˈbɑːbɪŋ/
inflected form of “bob” — move up and down repeatedly
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
colorfuladjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərfəl/
having much or varied color
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
costumesnounUS /kɑːˈstuːmz/
plural of “costume” — the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
crimsonadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪmzən/
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
divisible by two
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
at any time
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
franticallyadverbUS /ˈfræntəkəli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading She looked around frantically.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
the act of departing
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
housetops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
immediately past
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked around frantically.
roused to anger
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
in motion
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
noisieradjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪziər/
comparative of “noisy” — full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
ParadenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
cut with a saw
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked around frantically.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
having a supporting base
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
stockyadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːki/
having a short and solid form or stature
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, down the block, moving in the direction of the parade, she saw a stocky figure, his black costume standing out in the sea of so many colorful costumes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
torchesnounUS /ˈtɔːrtʃɪz/
plural of “torch” — a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
Torchlightnoun
light from a torch or torches
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
Vicki
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading How was she ever going to spot one man in this mad, confused throng?
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The crowds in the street had become even heavier and noisier, and down at the end of the block, Vicki heard the blaring bands and saw the bobbing flames of the torches as the parade went by.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _The Torchlight Parade_ In the street outside it had suddenly grown dark, with the last, brilliant red rays of the setting sun bathing the housetops to the west in a crimson glow.
