used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading But at night, alone in his room, he was serious.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
plural of “beast” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/
the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at night, alone in his room, he was serious.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
churchesnounUS /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “church” — one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
seemingly without interruption
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
dumpverbUS /dʌmp/
throw away as refuse
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
half the width of an em
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
gangnounUS /ɡæŋ/
an association of criminals
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
a man of refinement
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
JohnnynounUS /ˈdʒɑːni/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
Johnny'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːniz/
possessive form of “johnny” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
most important element
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
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 Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
music-club
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading But at night, alone in his room, he was serious.
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
O'HaranounUS /oʊˈherə/
United States writer (1905-1970)
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading But at night, alone in his room, he was serious.
routenounUS /ruːt/
an established line of travel or access
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
saloonsnounUS /səˈluːnz/
plural of “saloon” — a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served over a counter
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
school-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading But at night, alone in his room, he was serious.
shaft-towers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
sordidadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrdəd/
morally degraded
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
TerencenounUS /ˈterəns/
dramatist of ancient Rome (born in Greece) whose comedies were based on works by Menander (190?-159 BC)
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
move fast, noisily, and heavily
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Johnny, as he swung up the main street of the flat little town, the brick school-house and the two churches at one end, many saloons en route, and the gray rock dump and the chimneys and shaft-towers of the mine at the other, carried a ribbon of brightness through the sordid place.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
whistlingnounUS /ˈwɪslɪŋ/
the sound made by something moving rapidly or by steam coming out of a small aperture
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
which person or people
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading Johnny's music-club grew to be a spell to quiet wild beasts.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet Terence O'Hara and his gang had a strong hold; there was storm in the air and the distant thunder was heard almost continually.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Women came to the doors to smile at the handsome young gentleman who took his hat off as if they were ladies; children ran by his side, and he knocked their caps over their eyes and talked nonsense to them, and swung on whistling.
